Exploring EFL student use of digital backchannels during collaborative learning activities

Abstract

This chapter highlights several findings related to the learners use of digital communication channels during online collaborative activities. The term digital backchannel is used to imply that there are two channels of communication operating simultaneously during collaborative activities. The predominant digital channel is that of the online content management system controlled by the instructor and accessed in the target language, English. The secondary channel of digital communication (backchannel) is that of the external personal social network systems (SNS) that students employed to interact with group members and others. The researcher collected qualitative and quantitative data on learner interactions within a yearlong series of language learning activities through internet logs and interviews. The students employed digital backchannels with increasing frequency throughout the study period, even though there was an initial reluctance to use a communication channel, they considered very private for public educational activities. These digital backchannels were primarily mobile-based SNS. The students reported that the use of these backchannels increased in use over the study period and led to increased peer communication and networking. Also, students language use changed when moving between these primary and secondary communication channels, with L1 being used for the main-channel and L2 used for the backchannel.