Improving Technical Communication Group Projects
This article reports the results of an experiment that was conducted to determine the impact of media synchronicity theory (MST) training on media fit behavior, communication quantity, communication quality, and group effectiveness. MST training introduces students to a framework for assessing a media's capabilities and matching those capabilities to a particular task. From three technical communication courses, 80 participants were randomly divided into two groups and compared using a between subjects design. The MST training group reported significantly higher levels of media fit behavior, communication quantity, and the communication performance qualities of discussion quality, richness, and openness. The article discusses practical ways to implement MST training into technical communication group projects.