Supporting interaction and collaboration in the language classroom through computer mediated communication

This paper describes the design and implementation of a technology supported learning environment that enabled interaction and collaboration between a group of sixteen intermediate and advanced level university students of Italian and a group of seven Italian native speakers facilitators. For one semester students and facilitators worked together to complete two authentic tasks and interacted with each other through the communication tools and resources of an online learning management system. These resources included both asynchronous and synchronous communication tools such as an online threaded class discussion forum, a group discussion forum, chat and email. This paper discusses the theoretical underpinnings of the collaborative learning environment and the use of the different computer mediated communication tools throughout the duration of the project