The effects of task type in Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication

ReCALL ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yucel Yilmaz ◽  
Gisela Granena

AbstractThis study examines the potential of learner-learner interaction through Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication (SCMC) to focus learners’ attention on form. Focus on form is operationalized through Language-Related Episodes (LREs), instances where learners turn their attention to formal aspects of language by questioning the accuracy of their own or each other’s language use. The study also compares two task types, jigsaw and dictogloss, with respect to the number and characteristics of LREs. Ten adult intermediate ESL learners from an intensive English language program in the US worked together in dyads to carry out one jigsaw and one dictogloss task in an SCMC environment. Tasks were controlled for content and were presented in two alternative orders. The dictogloss in this study generated more LREs than the jigsaw. LREs were also qualitatively different across task types. Jigsaw LREs were implicit and did not result in incorrectly solved outcomes, whereas dictogloss LREs were explicit and resulted in correctly solved, incorrectly solved, and unresolved outcomes.

Author(s):  
E. Vance Wilson ◽  
Joline P. Morrison

A key determinant in the success of computer-mediated communication systems (CMCS) and group support systems (GSS) is the task they are used for (Huber, 1984; DeSanctis & Gallupe, 1987). Task models and theories exist in the domain of non-mediated groups (e.g., McGrath, 1984; Wood, 1986) but application of these to GSS and CMCS has been spotty and the results equivocal (Zigurs & Buckland, 1998). Although research findings repeatedly suggest that the fit between task and computer-mediated communication technology is important, researchers have not yet been able to comprehensively describe or measure the dimensions of appropriate fit. This chapter describes the development and initial testing of an instrument to measure the perceived effectiveness of CMCS based on task type (hereafter PE measure). The PE measure extends prior research in several ways. First, it operationalizes the four major dimensions of McGrath’s task circumplex (McGrath, 1984; McGrath & Hollingshead, 1994), a model which frequently is used as a conceptual framework for studying GSS and CMCS (Dennis & Gallupe, 1993). Thus, it will be straightforward to integrate findings from studies that use the PE measure into the existing literature. Second, all four task types are incorporated into the PE measure, where prior research has focused primarily on generation tasks and, to a lesser extent, choice tasks. This comprehensive view of the overall task construct should benefit the process of theory-building as well as prediction in practical applications. Third, the PE measure has been tested successfully within heterogeneous task domains, suggesting that the instrument has validity and is relatively robust.


Author(s):  
Nur Eser Altun ◽  
Senem Yildiz

This study describes the use of communication strategies in a synchronous computer-mediated communication (CMC) environment and examine whether task type has an influence on the frequency and variety of communication strategies (CS) used in this environment. To this end, use of CSs in three different communicative task types: jigsaw, decision-making and opinion-exchange were examined, based on and adapted from Dörnyei and Scott’s (1997) and Smith’s (2003) CS taxonomies. The data for this study was collected from 36 junior ELT students studying in a Turkish university. The results showed that the participants made use of a variety of CSs that were previously observed in face-to-face communication, and they used some CSs which are peculiar to CMC environment. It was also found that task type affected the frequency and type of CS used, favoring jigsaw task types in resulting more use of CSs.


ReCALL ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huifen Lin

AbstractThe ever growing interest in the development of foreign or second (L2) oral proficiency in a computer-mediated communication (CMC) classroom has resulted in a large body of studies looking at both the direct and indirect effects of CMC interventions on the acquisition of oral competences. The present study employed a quantitative meta-analytic approach to investigate such effects by synthesizing (quasi)experimental studies that provide empirical quantitative data for effect size calculation. A literature search located 25 relevant studies for the final analysis. Each study was independently coded for learner, design and publication characteristics. The averaged effect size was estimated from the included studies. The results of the meta-analysis reveal that communication mediated by computer/technologies produced a moderate positive effect on L2 learners’ oral proficiency compared to face-to-face (F2F) communication or no interaction. Furthermore, CMC has roughly similar effect on pronunciation, lexical and syntactic level of oral production; however, it might have a negative impact on fluency and accuracy. This meta-analysis also found that the effect of CMC on oral proficiency depends on several methodological factors such as task type, outcome measurement, treatment length, and assessment task. Major findings of the current meta-analysis include: (1) studies relying on elicited data are superior to those utilizing naturalistic data; (2) reading aloud seems to be the task that could elicit the best oral performance from students; (3) surprisingly, CMC appeared to be harmful for accuracy and fluency; (4) studies that employed decision-making generated the largest effect size, followed by studies that used more than one task type; (5) among the four tasks, jigsaw actually generated a negative effect on oral performance; and (6) as the most popular task employed by primary researchers, opinion-exchange studies produced the smallest effect size. These findings need to be interpreted as exploratory rather than confirmatory since each of them became less trustworthy after taking into consideration numerous other factors such as CMC task and the particular CMC tool used, etc. Future research suggestions are provided and the limitations of this meta-analysis are addressed.


ReCALL ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye Yeong Kim

AbstractAn essential component for assessing the accuracy and fluency of language learners is understanding how mode of communication and task type affect performance in second-language (L2) acquisition. This study investigates how text-based synchronous computer-mediated communication (SCMC) and face-to-face (F2F) oral interaction can influence the performance of language learners in producing grammatical forms accurately when learners of English as a second language complete different tasks in their L2. Findings show a systematic variability in learner interlanguage that depends on mode of communication and task type. L2 learners used articles more correctly and produced advanced-stage questions more frequently in text-based SCMC than in F2F. These findings suggest that task types and the mode of communication in which a task is completed need careful selection based on pedagogical purposes in order to maximize L2 learning and better evaluate L2 performance.


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.


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