As Jesse Jackson pointed out in an October interview on National Public Radio, we are increasing our access to education with the use of technology, yet we also increase our isolation and decrease our socialization. A Carnegie Mellon study found that use of the Internet seemed to increase depression levels for heavy online users. Interesting because in fact, most view the net, as a medium that calls for interaction unlike television which is considered passive. Communication theorists hypothesize that while e-mail may be exchanged and chatrooms utilized, these may be categorized as impersonal forms of communication. It is unlike sharing a cup of coffee, a sandwich, or meeting at the library to discuss issues.
Web users crave relationships.
As a teacher of communications, I am struck by the need to find a new communication paradigm for online instruction. Students of speech know that communication consists of a speaker, receiver, and most importantly feedback, which may be in the form of nonverbal or verbal clues. Feedback creates the human relationship. Students of writing recognize the communication paradigm as not being circular or two-way. It is simply writer and receiver.