Final Post

I am going to keep this one short. Not that my previous posts are long just that maybe this is is shorter.

Anyway, this is how I feel about the Module.

Let me begin with the reasons why I took this Module. Partly, I say again partly, it was because the Module has no Mid Term Tests and No Examinations. Secondly, there was only once a week session and thirdly I can SU the Module. Haha...

The other part of the reason was also because I thought the Module is interesting. I took a couple of communication Module before in my previous semesters and I realized something about communication. Communication with others have to be catered to the people we are communicating with. We have to tweak how we talk to one person and tweak it again when talking to another person. And I believe that to tweak best to suite one's optimal adjustment (to put it in technical terms) is to understand his orientation. And what more can influence one's orientation other than his CULTURE.

Thus, this Module. Cross Cultural Communication and Discourse.

This Module achieved its purpose. I believed. It was an eye opener. I think we all know that how one culture think differs from another. But to discuss about it and to know a little bit more about these differences and why there are these differences in the first place is really fascinating.

The project also gave me a first hand experience of studying my own culture. It forces me to be more observant to how people interact and react to one another. And it also forces me to think why certain acts are done in certain way. Only when you understand your own culture then you can appreciate the cultures of others.

Overall, I have benefited from the Modules. And I do agree that blogging can strengthen your understanding of concepts and allows you to know the perspective of others. I have made new friends and I enjoyed the little interactions in class.

Thank you Dr Deng. Thank you All for the pleasant experience.

Mediated... Really???

Computer Mediated Communication (CMC). It is interesting to note the CMC uses the word ''mediated" to connect computer and communication. As defined in the dictionary, to mediate is to occupy an intermediate or middle position or form a connecting link or stage between two others. Thus the proper use of this word. Interestingly, mediate also means to act between parties with a view to reconciling differences.

Why do I find this interesting you might ask... Well, I believed that computer can indeed mediate (act between parties with a view to reconcilling differences) an argument. I think that when there is a dispute between two persons, CMC may be a better alternative than confronting face to face with one another. This is because, CMC allows the person to think before the message is being conveyed and to a certain extent this can prevent one from saying things out of anger and something that they don't mean. CMC may also promote clearer understanding of what is being discussed as they can refer to what is being said previously and not side track.

Having said that, the use of the word mediated may also be ironical. More than often, CMC does not really mediate an argument but may be the cause of the argument. Unless, what is intended to be said is transmitted clearly and received clearly, misunderstanding bound to happen. In my opinion, this may be so primarily because of the lack of non-verbal behaviours as hints to how one is feeling.

So, let me conclude that CMC is like a double edge sword. And we should be careful with CMC. At the end of the day, be it CMC or face to face communication, what is important is that what to be transmitted should be received as clearly as possible... If there is even such a thing.