Comparison of face to face and synchronous computer mediated communication

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13271
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 02100:Foreign language education-related
• Research Institution: Keisen University (2021-2022); Toyo University (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: OCHI Kentaro 恵泉女学園大学, 人文学部, 助教 (00801531)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: CMI / Distant Learning / ICT / 英語教育

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Forty first-year university students participated in the study. They engaged in both face-to-face (F2F) and computer-mediated communication (CMC) with average durations of 11.22 and 9.15 minutes, respectively. No significant difference was found between F2F and CMC in terms of complexity, accuracy, and fluency, contradicting the findings of Payne and Whitney (2002). The participants' regular use of computers and CMC may have contributed to this finding. The findings suggest that CMC does not hinder or enhance L2 communication, but can complement or even replace F2F communication by overcoming temporal and spatial constraints. Future research should consider different participant profiles and metrics for complexity, accuracy, and fluency.

Free Research Field

Foreign language education-related

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This study revealed no significant difference between F2F and CMC in terms of complexity, accuracy, or fluency. It underscores the potential of CMC to complement traditional F2F interactions, which could be transformative in an era of increasing digital communication.