Use of Video-enabled Web based CMC to Facilitate Oral Conversation Drill

This study investigates how video-enabled Web-based Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) system can be effectively used in a local dialect learning course to enhance students' learning. Eighteen students enrolled in the course used the system to complete course related activities. Students' in class oral conversation drills were videotaped and made available for viewing on a CMC system. After each class, students and course instructor can give both textual and audio feedback to each student's in class oral conversation drill on the CMC system to foster interactions, which were fewer in the classroom due to limited class time. Furthermore, students can access the video to self-evaluate their oral conversations as often as necessary and monitor their personal growth. It was found that this video-enabled CMC system is valuable in improving quality of feedback and in increasing students' reflection. The audio feedback given by instructor was especially useful for correcting their pronunciation and utterance. It also gave students more opportunities to interact with instructor and peers after class.