Use of the Wiki for Cross-Institutional Collaborations

Author(s):  
Carolin Fuchs

This article discusses how groups of student teachers use the wiki to collaborate cross-institutionally in order to design tasks for English language learners. Participants in this case study involved student teachers at a private graduate institution on the East Coast in the U.S. and students at a public graduate institution in Luxembourg. In this action research approach, data triangulation involved gathering information through a combination of different instruments such as computer-mediated communication data, needs analyses, journal entries, and post-course questionnaires. Findings showed that in addition to writing collaboratively, groups used the wiki as a discussion tool. This subsequently led to an exploration of the interactions through computer-mediated discourse analysis and a discussion of methodological implications.

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-116
Author(s):  
Ghaouar Nesrine ◽  
Laiche Sara ◽  
Sabah Belhadi

Nowadays, Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) becomes the most dominant mode of communication as computers, smart phones, tablets are worldwide used devices for communication especially with the internet facilities through different platforms. However, despite the spread of computer mediated communication modes and devices, it is noticed that people still lack vocabulary in the English language.  Therefore, this research intends to investigate Facebook use as a shared online space to learn vocabulary in English language. In addition, it aims at developing, within Facebook users, the possible vocabulary learning strategies that would enhance their English vocabulary learning. Therefore, two research tools were used with a group of facebook users: a questionnaire and an experiment. The obtained results confirmed that the participants under investigation have significantly improved their vocabulary learning via Facebook. In addition, vocabulary learning has been greatly affected by certain training on some strategies. Hence, Facebook proved to be not only a source of entertainment, but also an effective informal learning tool of English vocabulary.


Author(s):  
Esrom Adriano Irala ◽  
Patrica Lupion Torres

This chapter belongs to the context of the computer-mediated communication (CMC) for language teaching and learning. Since the introduction of this new communication method, new paths for the teaching and learning of languages have been opened. In this research, virtual discussions in the English language about polemical topics were carried out through the use of the AMANDA program. This program features artificial intelligence principles in the discussion coordination, diminishing the tutor’s workload in the task of coordinating the discussions. The goal of this research was to observe the contributions of the CMC tool for the learning of English by the participating students. In total, 83 upper-intermediate English level students took part. The analyses and final considerations concentrate on the evaluation of the program used as well as the positive and negative aspects observed during this research for the teaching/learning of the English language.


ReCALL ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Fuchs ◽  
Bill Snyder ◽  
Bruce Tung ◽  
Yu Jung Han

AbstractThis case study explores how a Chinese-American novice teacher acted as mediator in a telecollaboration with student teacher (ST) peers in the USA who designed tasks for his English as a foreign language (EFL) learners in China. The novice teacher was instrumental in mediating the student teachers’ task design process by providing feedback regarding technological and institutional constraints, and the nuances of his target student population. He appropriated and adapted the tasks to make them relevant for his EFL learners. Against the backdrop of the three dimensions of professional capital – human, social, and decisional – the research questions explored how the novice teacher used the different types of knowledge of context (pedagogical, institutional, technical) in relation to task design, and his perception of his role as mediator. Within a sociocultural framework for telecollaboration studies, this exploratory case study shares characteristics of ethnography, action research, and narrative inquiry. Data triangulation included text-based computer-mediated communication (CMC) data (Google Groups, emails), a narrative written by the novice teacher, and a semi-structured, reflective Skype interview with him. The findings indicate that he demonstrated high commitment, thorough preparation, continuous reflection, and development while navigating between his different roles of mediator, assessor, implementer, and field observer.


Author(s):  
Janaina Minelli de Oliveira ◽  
Vanessa Esteve-González

AbstractThis paper presents an investigation into patterns of interaction in synchronous, text-based computer-mediated communication (SCMC) with a focus on participation. The data constitute a corpus of 3,785 words from a series of interactions between student teachers performing learning activities in a three-dimensional online environment. Drawing on a systemic functional grammar perspective of language, we aim to develop a conceptual framework for understanding participation as made up of interactional patterns in students’ linguistic exchanges while performing learning activities. Our findings show that verbal negotiation that creates a shared understanding of what the group should accomplish or a common view of how to perform the activity is more frequent than strict activity organization. We argue that there are features of CMC signaling higher levels of complexity than those ordinarily found in face to face or written communication. The three broad interactional features identified – blending, turn-taking collaboration and delay endurance – corroborate our claim. This paper presents evidence that participation in text-based SCMC with learning purposes demands a disposition for collaboration and solidarity, a capacity to endure delay, and the ability to manage a conglomerate of information and communication tools without instructions on how-to processes.


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