2. Why CMC?
Not an either/or choice between
speaking in person and CMC.
What can CMC do…
◦ In class?
◦ Small group work outside of class?
3. Learner Participation
More equal participation than in-class
group work and less use of L1
(Warschauer, 1996).
Learners have time to prepare
Encourages output
Can be used in conjunction with
tasks/projects.
4. Tools
Chat programs (Instant Messenger,
Google Talk, Microsoft Lync,
Facebook Chat)
Internet Relay Chat (chat rooms, very
text-based)
Video/audio conferencing (e.g.,
Skype, TokBox)
LMS classrooms (e.g., Blackboard
Collaborate)
5. Activities
Discussion topics (high interest topics)
Work on a project/task (through
discussion)
Study groups
Collaborate on a document (in
application)
Hold class
Jigsaw activity (Pre-determined
groups, students go from group to
group)
6. Let’s try it out
Blackboard Collaborate (Guide here):
Login to Collaborate session via BBLearn (568 ->
General Information)
You may need to install Collaborate/update Java.
Asks for Admin authorization, just cancel (should
still work)
Or join via mobile app (Blackboard Collaborate
Mobile in iTunes or Google Play).
You will need the Blackboard Mobile app AND
the Blackboard Collaborate app to use it.
7. Small group work
With a partner…choose one of the
following (preferably that you haven’t
used before)
Test out the application; figure out how
to use it.
Brainstorm ideas for using it in your
own class.
Share your findings in the appropriate
Collaborate group.
8. Synchronous CMC
Google Hangout Up to 10 members
http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/ Video chat
hangouts/ Low barrier to entry
Skype Ubiquitous (students probably
http://www.skype.com/en/ familiar)
Free, intuitive
Video or audio only (no text)
TokBox (Conference option) Video conferencing (or text)
http://www.tokbox.com/ Video messaging
http://youtu.be/QlQA9eAxqdM Shared whiteboard, other tools
Free basic or Premium versions
Browser-based
Some tech savvy required to set up
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) Browser-based, text only
http://irchelp.org/irchelp/irctutorial.ht Free
ml Flexible and easily accessible
Very old school (text commands)
