On The Construction Of Roles In Computer-Mediated Communication And Cooperation

Abstract

This paper analyses the controlled and uncontrolled construction of team roles in a virtual seminar (blended learning) from a linguistic-discourse analytical perspective. In contrast to certain social psychological approaches, it is argued that the communication of social information in the virtual space is not fundamentally restricted. Rather, participants make use of creative communication strategies that guarantee social orientation. These new, computer-mediated forms of discourse can be meaningfully supported and partially controlled by the technical realisation and equipment of the communication platform as well as adequate didactic scenarios. However, the actual success of a virtual seminar depends on the uncontrolled processes of discursive role construction.