Computer-mediated communication in ELT: Part A

Part A: Trying out CMC tools

Task 1:

Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication

Try out Synchronous Text Chat

a) If you haven’t tried a synchronous text-chat before, try one now. You can find a chat box at the lower part of this blog.

Find out:
- who is online,
- where they are from.
- what they do.

Try out Synchronous Audio/Video CMC

b) Try out FlashMeeting


On Sunday 5th August from 10:50a.m - 12:20p.m (UK time)

Add your name and join the meeting.


Task 2:

Asynchronous Computer-Mediated Communication

Try out Asynchronous text-based Computer-Mediated Communication.

a) I think you all tried email ; )

b) Have you tried discussion forums? If not, have a look at a teachers’ discussion forum.
Check out the messages to figure out how conversations on a discussion board are structured.

Task 3:

Asynchronous Audio Computer-Mediated Communication.

a) Try out MyChingo (see the orange voiceboard under my picture?)

Basic: Leave a message on my MyChingo Voice Mail: Messages shouldn’t be longer than two minutes.

Advanced: Have you got a website or a blog? Get your own MyChingo.
(the relevant link is on the list on the right under asynchronous CMC tools)

b) Try out Chinswing

Basic: Go to Chinswing’s education Channel
Listen to a discussion you find interesting. Leave a message.

Advanced: Start your own new discussion?

c) Try out Vaestro.

Basic: See a Vaestro forum implemented in ESL.

Listen to the students’ messages.

Basic: Leave me an audio comment on Vaestro

Advanced: What do you fancy? Create a new topic? Create your own Vaestro forum?