How International Students Use Chat Tools: Analysis of the Group Project - Case Study Example

How International Students use Chat Tools: Analysis of the Group Research Project Background and Significance Chat tools provide a platform on which different kinds of communications between individuals can be facilitated. Since the technology includes different functions, the use of chat tools has become part of the social trends in the present time. This functionality, together with its social status, has made chat tools a common phenomenon among international students. This essay evaluates the findings of the research that sought to examine how international students use chat tools. The essay uses the findings of the research to frame a model of technological change with regard to the development of the use of chat tools among international students. Theoretically, this research is based on the provisions of the theory of Social Shaping of Technology which examines not only the social content of technology but also the social process involved in technological innovations (McKenzie & Wajcman 2012, p. 33). According to Williams and Edge (1996, p. 9), the social shaping theory shows that technological progress occurs in the form of a social product which is characterised by conditions of its creation and use. As such, the process of technological innovation occurs in stages that are made up of choices between competing technical options and a range of social factors which bear a direct influence upon the choices that are made (Williams & Edge 1996, p. 11). In essence, the overall design and implementation of a technological process is influenced by organisational, cultural, economic and political factors. The conceptualisation, emergence and subsequent development of the chat tool follow the provisions of the social shaping theory. To begin with, the development of the personal computer has changed the general way in which human beings communicate with each other. This has occurred in line with overall changes in different factors that have changed human requirements for satisfaction in communication. In addition to this, development of the chat tool has been tied to technological advances in computing. With increasing technological capacity of the personal computer and a corresponding decline in the cost of ownership, many individuals and families have managed to access the technology as a means of satisfying their behavioural requirements. This means that technological progress in the form of the chat tool has occurred under the influence of economic, technological, cultural and political factors (McKenzie & Wajcman 2012, p. 41). The development of the chat tool was influenced by two main factors: the need to develop a form of communication that would guarantee instant feedback and increase overall technological use. Using the earlier forms of communication failed to meet the increasing requirements for speed. The need for instantaneous communication led to the creation of the chat tool as a replacement to the e-mail, which had been developed earlier to replace use of the letter. On the other hand, with development of technology, an increasing number of people have gained access to modern electronic devices. With increasing use of applications developed for the devices, there is increasing use of the chat tool as a way of making life functional and convenient. This study sought to find out how chat tools influence the way international students communicate with their family members and friends. The research was guided by the following objectives: to find out which chat tool is the most popular among overseas students; to determine the reason as to why overseas students use chat tools; and to find out whether the use of chat tools has had an impact on the lifestyles of overseas students. In order to achieve its objectives, the research was guided by the following questions which were posed to the interviewees: first, whether they use chat tools and why; second, the reason for the popularity of chat tools in the present times; and third, whether there are ways in which the chat tools used can be improved. Methodology The target population for the research consisted of all overseas students currently studying in institutions of higher learning in the country. The study was conducted on a sample of fifteen students chosen randomly from three universities in the country as follows: University of Canberra, Australia National University and Canberra Institute of Technology. Individual students forming the sample of the research were then interviewed in order to obtain their responses to the questions of the research. According to Klenke (2008, p. 125), using interviews as a method of collecting qualitative data presents the advantage of interviewees providing detailed information. This is so because the interviewer can seek clarifications on several issues contained in the interview questions. This study utilised a semi-structured interview that used eight questions which were developed from the research objectives. It is also important to note that this research process was carried out in consideration of ethical principles governing such a research. According to Birch and Miller (2012, p. 97), ethical considerations in a qualitative research seek to address the confidentiality, respect and willingness of the persons interviewed to participate in the research. This research addressed these issues in a number of ways. For instance, all the participants were fully informed of the nature of the research, its purpose and to what use the information they provide shall be put. Also, participants were required to sign a security agreement indicating their willingness to participate in the research. This was used as a measure to ensure that participants fully and willingly participated in the research. After information was collected from the interviews, it was quantified so as to allow analysis to be performed. This made the results of the interview convenient for final analysis. However, one disadvantage arising from this research method is associated with the limited number of overseas students that were available for the research. As such, the sample used may not fully represent the entire target population. Findings and Discussion From the results of the interview, several conclusions can be drawn. These conclusions not only highlight the role and use of chat tools by international students but also present facts upon which a model of technological change from the perspective of the use of chat tools can be developed. From the findings of the research, it can be concluded that the majority of international students use chat tools as a primary means of communicating with their family members and friends. Of the respondents, 67% said that all their friends use chat tools as a means of communicating with their families and friends. 33% of the respondents reported that almost all of their friends use chat tools for communicating with their families and friends. These results underlie the theoretical proposition that overseas students regard using chat tools as an essential part of their normal lives. The research also revealed important information about the relative importance of chat tool functions that overseas students prefer to use. From the findings of the research, 15% of the respondents indicated that they prefer using face time functions. The same result was obtained with regard to the voice message function. Other functions like name card, picture sharing, GPS and text message services were regarded as important for students in that order. These results indicate that overseas students regard chat tools as having powerful functions which are used as a replacement to other forms of communication. As such, the majority of overseas students using chat tools are motivated by both the functional aspect of the technology as well as its aesthetic aspects which lie in being up-to-date with the current fashion and trends. Another conclusion that can be drawn from the findings of the research regards possible ways in which chat tools can be improved. Many of the overseas students interviewed cited loss of personal security features as one of the main issues which need to be addressed. Loss of personal account details, which often resulted from hacking, led to instances of fraud, impersonation and publication of private information. Because of this, there is need for improving personal security features of chat tools. It has already been observed that the social shaping theory takes into consideration the impact of different factors on the emergence and subsequent development of a technological process (Dosi, Orsenigo & Lobini 2010, p. 680). From the findings of this research, it can be seen that social, cultural, economic and institutional factors have influenced the direction, form and outcome of the chat tools technology. Since the emergence of chat tools in 1995 as a mode of communication, rapid technological advances have lowered the costs of access, thus increasing the number of users. With the need to satisfy rising demand for the functionality of chat tools technology, new features were enhanced while the associated costs declined. This led to the massive adoption of the technology as communication tool in the society. Conclusion In conclusion, this research sought to examine how international students use chat tools for communicating with their family members and friends. From the findings, it can be concluded that majority of overseas students use chat tools for communicating with their family members and friends. Also, the use of chat tools is enhanced by different tools which the technology incorporates. The emergence, adoption and further development of the chat tools technology followed the pattern proposed under the social shaping theory. References Birch, M & Miller, T 2012, ‘Encouraging participation: Ethics and responsibilities’, in Miller, T, Birch, M, Mauthner, M & Jessop, J (eds), Ethics in Qualitative Research, Sage Publications, London, pp. 94 – 107. Dosi, G, Orsenigo, L & Lobini, M S 2010, ‘Technology and economy’, in Smelser, N J & Swedberg, R (eds), The Handbook of Economic Sociology, Princeton University Press, Princeton, pp. 678 – 700. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.115.1643&rep=rep1&type=pdf (19 November 2013). Klenke, K 2008, Qualitative Research in the Study of Leadership, Emerald Publishing Group, Bingley. MacKenzie, D & Wajcman, J 2012, ‘Introductory essay: The social shaping of technology’, LSE Research Online. Accessed at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/28638/1/Introductory%20essay%20%28LSERO%29.pdf (19 November 2013). Williams, R & Edge, D 1996, ‘The social shaping of technology’, Research Policy, vol. 25, pp. 856 – 899. Accessed at: Read More