The role of computer mediated communication among secondary school students in Nairobi Westlands District
Abstract
Communication via computer takes many forms. But computer mediated communication is on the increase all over the world. The youth who constitute a large portion of the world's population have equally embraced this technology. Since the very youth are in schools/colleges/universities learning, the role that computer mediated communication plays in their academic and social life ought to be investigated. This research investigates the role that computer mediated communication has on students' academic and social life in Nairobi Westlands district. To achieve this, four objectives were set: first was examining the main CMC applications used by secondary school students to communicate. Then investigate the function(s) of networked computers in communication. This research also sought the extent to which computer mediated communication is being utilized in schools, with particular reference to Nairobi Westlands district. And, last was to establish whether instant messaging, social network sites and electronic mail build relationships. A quantitative research methodology was designed to with an 11 item questionnaire to gather information from six secondary schools from the research site. Findings show that indeed students are using e-mails, instant messaging and social network services to communicate on academic and social life. It is therefore vital for education stakeholders to acquaint themselves with these CMC applications so as find alternative communication media to students.
Publisher
University of Nairobi, Kenya