Instructional Strategies for Achieving a Positive Impression in Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) Distance Education Courses.

With the rapid development of computer technology in recent years, distance education, and especially computer-mediated communication (CMC), has expanded very quickly. The application of computer technology in education presents many unanswered questions, including issues related to impression formation and impression management in computer-mediated environments. This paper reviews the knowledge base for verbal and nonverbal factors affecting impression formation in both face-to-face (FtF) and CMC environments. Based on this review, instructional strategies for achieving effective communication and a positive impression in CMC distance education courses are proposed. Verbal strategies include: following language norms; using standard discourse schemas selectively; using pragmatic and syntactic codes selectively; using intense language; using immediate language; using diverse language; using powerful language style; selecting the appropriate verbal influence strategy; and using appropriate ironic remarks. Nonverbal strategies include: using paralinguistic cues such as emoticons appropriately; taking into account chronemics; maintaining a high frequency of messaging; maintaining longer duration messages; maintaining a fast reply of messaging; manipulating primacy effect; manipulating recency effect; and ensuring no typing errors. (Contains 45 references.) (Author/MES)