The Computer-mediated Communication-based Blended Course is Preferred among the University Students

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the roles of face-to-face communication and computer-mediated communication in a blended course. We designed and distributed a survey questionnaire to two experimental groups who had used different communicational approaches in a specific course. We controlled other conditions involving the online lectures and reference materials, the teaching strategies, the cases analysed, and the instructor. Next, the independentsample T-test was applied to the data collected. The results indicated that participants were more satisfied with the computer-mediated communication-based blended course. Also, they reported that this mode is effective in the cultivation of creativity. Finally, it is also illustrated that whichever mode was implemented, students still had some difficulties with the blended learning mode. In conclusion, the application of online communication software significantly improves students’ satisfaction. These findings contribute to the design of blended learning courses in higher education, especially the use of social software.