Explain the media augmentation approach and how social network theory supports its claims

What will be an ideal response?

Students must understand and explain how CMC is a supplement to, rather than a substitution for, face-to-face interaction, which is the premise of social network theory.

The media augmentation approach argues that mediated communication complements or augments face-to-face encounters. Social network theory supports this approach because it proposes that patterns of connections among people affect their social behavior and communication. This means that CMC does not isolate people, but brings them together insomuch that people with strong ties online can have strong ties offline. Rather than substituting for face-to-face interaction, CMC supplements all the ways we have for relating to and with people.