Researching Online Foreign Language Interaction and Exchange: Theories, Methods and Challenges. Telecollaboration in Education. Volume 3.

Abstract

This book provides an accessible introduction to some of the methods and theoretical approaches for investigating foreign language (FL) interaction and exchange in online environments. Research approaches which can be applied to Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) are outlined, followed by a discussion of the way in which tools and techniques for data-collection in diverse online contexts can contribute to our understanding of online foreign language interaction. The compilation of chapters presents a comprehensive overview of key issues in virtual, intercultural and multimodal research contexts and gives insight into the particular challenges and situations which this area of language learning implies. Researching Online Foreign Language Interaction and Exchange addresses the needs of researchers and newcomers to the area who are hoping to learn about the current state of the field by providing overviews of varying approaches and extensive literature review as well as extracts of real data to illustrate the theories, methods or issues in question. Melinda Dooly/Robert O'Dowd: Researching Online Interaction and Exchange in Foreign Language Education: Introduction to the Volume -- Jonathon Reinhardt: Accommodating Divergent Frameworks in Analysis of Technology-Mediated L2 Interaction -- Françoise Blin: Introducing Cultural Historical Activity Theory for Researching CMC in Foreign Language Education -- Paige Ware/Brenna Rivas: Researching Classroom Integration of Online Language Learning Projects: Mixed Methods Approaches -- Melinda Dooly/Mirjam Hauck: Researching Multimodal Communicative Competence in Video and Audio Telecollaborative Encounters -- Andreas Müller-Hartmann: The Classroom-Based Action Research Paradigm in Telecollaboration -- Luisa Panichi/Mats Deutschmann: Language Learning in Virtual Worlds -- Research Issues and Methods -- Martina Möllering/Mike Levy: Intercultural Competence in Computer-Mediated-Communication: An Analysis of Research Methods -- Nina Vyatkina: Applying the Methodology of Learner Corpus Analysis to Telecollaborative Discourse -- Breffni O'rourke: Using Eye-Tracking to Investigate Gaze Behaviour in Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication for Language Learning.