Kuwait University
ELU/Science_Fall 2003
Instructor: Buthaina Al Othman

Hi Tech Synchronous & Asynchronous Communication

Computer Mediated Communication, (CMC) Tools to teach & Learn English

A Major Step Toward E-Learning

Below, are some synchronous and asynchronous CMC tools that I integrated in some projects I designed and created for the use of my students in General English and English for Science classes, I teach in the English Language Unit of the Faculty of Science, at Kuwait University.

Atribute Note: I would like to express gratitude and appreciation to Vance Stevens and fellow Webheads for all what I have learned recently on the issue of e-learning and teaching, which I was introduced to during my TESOL MS program at SUNY,Albany, in 1999-2000.

• Method 1: Synchronous Communication or online in real life time communication
  1. Group board: (Chat & Draw).

  How to use text-chat and drawing facilities available at Group Board.

  See an example of Student-Teacher Free-Topic Text Chat Project, Spring 2003-2004

  2. Yahoo Messenger or MSN instant messages: (Text-Chat or Online Conference).

  How to use Text & Voice-Chat or to hold an online conference,at Yahoo Messenge.

  See an example of how I used Yahoo Messenger during an online Webheads training workshop by Vance Stevens

  See an example of how I use Yahoo Messenger with Webheads Colleagues

  See an example of how I use Yahoo Messenger for my students:

  Student-Teacher Educational Topic-Chat Project, (Telecommuting- Spring 2003-2004)

  I have participated in providing some suggestions and comments on a Text-Chat Classification project by Webhead Dafne Gonzales; Read her article on this issue at the URL: http://dafnegon.tripod.com/chats/paper-chattaxonomy#conclu

  3. Tapped In:(Can help e-learners to become discoverers or independent learners)

  How to use different text-chat facilities at Tapped In

  See an example of a Student-Teacher text-Chat Project by Taiwanese Students, What's in a name?

  4. Wimba Voice-Text Room:

  How to use Voice and text at Wimba

  See a how Webheads in Action used Wimba at TESOL Convention 2003, by Webheads

  See how a Webhead in Action, Anne Fox, used Wimba in a project for her students, Street Life, (Anne Fox's Street Life Project-Week 5, Oct 2003)

5. Virtual Classroom: (Live Online Sessions)

See an example of Students' Online Presentations, using Alado.net/Webheads , (a Final Project for ESP, course #162, Fall 2003-2004).

• Method 2: Asynchronous Communication
  • Yahoo Group:

  How to start and use a Yahoo Group.

  See an example of Student-Teracher 161 Science Yahoo Group Project, (Spring 2003- 2004)

  See an example of Student-Teacher 090 Voice Yahoo Group, (Fall 2003-2004)

  • Voice E-Mail:

  How to use Voice Email Messages & Voice boards; (Wimba is not free anymore),

  but we might be able to use it for free at Learning Times