The book investigates the nature of both
synchronous and asynchronous computer-mediated communication and how these two
modes of communication may complement each other and contribute to
collaborative learning in an EFL classroom environment. Results from the
research indicated promising avenues for the application of various CMC
technologies in the Confucius heritage language classroom. The quality of
discussion was persuasively better in the online synchronous mode. The use of
wikis as a new platform for peer exchanges can be considered an innovation,
liberating the students from the conventional, narrow, and linear practice of
pen-and-paperbased peer editing. Furthermore, indications of trends in terms of
quality were positive toward the online essays. Learners’
reflections on and perceptions of the introduction of CMC into language
learning presented a potential picture of a technology-enhanced classroom. This
book is therefore aimed at researchers, language teachers, and graduate
students with an interest in computer-mediated communication and
computer-assisted language learning.
|