Face-to-face talk and synchronous chat as learning tools in tutorial classes

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present an explorative study on the role of synchronous electronic discussions in the context of tutorial lectures on literature. More specifically, synchronous electronic interaction is compared with small-group discussions. A single session of each instructional method was recorded and analysed qualitatively, from a conversation analytic approach. The findings suggest that although synchronous chat and small-group discussion share certain characteristics, they are also distinct in several significant ways. The implications that these differences hold for language instruction are then discussed.

Keywords: synchronous CMC, tutorials, CLT, group work, blended learning, CALL