Blending the on and off-campus classroom: an experience in computer-mediated communication in TEFL

Abstract

Education is transforming to meet the demands of a world where technology is continuously changing the way we live, work, communicate and learn. Learners today are born with a surprising adaptability to new technology and embrace it instantaneously, making it difficult for older generations of teachers to keep up. The role of teachers has changed to that of mentors or guides who help students critically assess the information available, recognize valid sources, make connections with those who can offer support, and prepare them in the competences required in their profession. Technology-based methodologies are helping teachers do this: Blended Learning, Computer-based Learning, Web-based Collaborative Learning, and Computer-mediated Communication, to name a few. This holds true in Teaching English as a Foreign Language as well, where teachers in many cases are moderators guiding students through their online learning. This paper presents an experience at Universidad Europea de Madrid where technology allowed both on-campus and off-campus students access to learning EFL in an innovative way. Synchronous Computer-mediated Communication was used in a face-to-face classroom and online simultaneously. Results will show that this format was successful in achieving the learning goals of students who were both on and off campus.