1. 1 Dialogue in Network- supported Language Learning and Teaching

2. 2 What is network-based language teaching? Warschauer and Kern, 2000: Warschauer and Kern, 2000: Language teaching involving local or global networks (LMS or Internet) Language teaching involving local or global networks (LMS or Internet) Focus on human to human communication Focus on human to human communication Written communication, electronically archived Written communication, electronically archived

3. 3 Background Experience from net-based courses for training language teachers Experience from net-based courses for training language teachers Experience from on-campus, network supported courses Experience from on-campus, network supported courses Different types of dialogue were identified during development and implementation of these courses Different types of dialogue were identified during development and implementation of these courses

4. 4 Dialogue = Interaction + Discourse Communication between on-line materials and learner through complex tasks Communication between on-line materials and learner through complex tasks Communication between moderator and learner where both are active partners in a process Communication between moderator and learner where both are active partners in a process Communication between learner(s) and learner(s) where all are active partners Communication between learner(s) and learner(s) where all are active partners

5. 5 Tools in the LMS E-mail E-mail Forums Forums Chat Chat Collaborative writing (Fronter Document) Collaborative writing (Fronter Document)

6. 6 Tools on the Net E-mail E-mail Blogs Blogs Messenger Messenger Skyping Skyping Use of avatars Use of avatars Video conferencing(human) Video conferencing(human)

7. 7 Forum “A defined area in which discussion and negotiation take place.” Defined in terms of: “A defined area in which discussion and negotiation take place.” Defined in terms of: Who takes part Who takes part How long it lasts How long it lasts What is discussed What is discussed

8. 8 Characteristics of a Forum 1 Asynchronous Asynchronous Task-based Task-based Written Written Saved and can be referred back to Saved and can be referred back to

9. 9 Characteristics of a Forum 2 Participants have time for reflection Participants have time for reflection Participants take part in their own time Participants take part in their own time Underlying purpose is language practice Underlying purpose is language practice Message more interesting than correct language Message more interesting than correct language

10. 10 Why use a Forum Discussion? 1 Motivational value Motivational value Produces a lot of writing Produces a lot of writing Individual students more easily included than in face to face discussions Individual students more easily included than in face to face discussions Time for reflection Time for reflection

11. 11 Why use a Forum Discussion? 2 A record of what has been said to refer to A record of what has been said to refer to Meaningful contributions Meaningful contributions Contributions are public: have many readers Contributions are public: have many readers

12. 12 Making a Forum Discussion Effective Training and practice are necessary Training and practice are necessary A good starting question A good starting question Make active participation compulsory Make active participation compulsory Use email to bring in and encourage individuals Use email to bring in and encourage individuals Moderating draws threads together and stimulates more discussion Moderating draws threads together and stimulates more discussion

13. 13 Forum as a Genre Informal Informal Shared text with multiple authors including the moderator Shared text with multiple authors including the moderator Requires attention to text coherence through the use of linking devices Requires attention to text coherence through the use of linking devices Linking devices help to develop deep-level thinking Linking devices help to develop deep-level thinking

14. 14 Ground Rules for participant behaviour ( some examples) Keep your postings fairly short, at least at the beginning Keep your postings fairly short, at least at the beginning Comment on what others have said before you add your own contribution Comment on what others have said before you add your own contribution Keep to the question under discussion Keep to the question under discussion Say encouraging things to others Say encouraging things to others Try to write postings which keep the discussion moving forward rather than stopping it dead Try to write postings which keep the discussion moving forward rather than stopping it dead

15. 15 Conclusion Forum is one of a number of tools for creating dialogue which Forum is one of a number of tools for creating dialogue which Is not not just a poor substitute for face to face contact Is not not just a poor substitute for face to face contact Has the potential for developing knowledge, thinking and language Has the potential for developing knowledge, thinking and language Increases individual contact with students Increases individual contact with students