Motivations for Using CMC and Non-CMC Media in Learning Contexts: A Uses and Gratifications Approach

As the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) by students in the university learning contexts increases, there is a need to better understand students’ motivations for using CMC and non-CMC media in their learning. By employing the uses and gratifications (U&G) perspective, this paper identified 7 motivation dimensions including information seeking, convenience, connectivity, problem solving, content management, social presence, and social context cues. Furthermore, this study found that overall CMC media were not functional alternatives to nonCMC media. However, this study revealed some specific similarities and differences between CMC and non-CMC media in terms of each specific motivation dimension. Finally, the paper concluded with a discussion of the implications for both IS researchers, higher education and organizations.