Exploring online learning through the lens of synchronous and asynchronous instructional methods can be beneficial to the online instructor and to the course designer. Understanding the underlying theoretical foundation is essential to justify both types of instructional pedagogies. Learning theory as it applies to online environments encompasses…

This paper examines EFL learners' dialogic interaction in the implementation of a computer-mediated communication (CMC) task. Within the framework of sociocultural theory, the research focuses on how learners working in pairs collaboratively perform task management and build relationship in the synchronous CMC context. Sixteen Chinese tertiary EFL…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to introduce some new functions achieved in a web-based multimedia courseware, which is developed by Flash software and used by part-time graduate students. Design/methodology/approach: The courseware uses Adobe Flash CS3 as its development software, which supports Actionscript language, FMS and FLV technology…