This book brings together and links crucial aspects of research in applied linguistics, that is, conducting research to promote telecollaboration/virtual exchange in language learning geared towards broadening understanding of diverse cultural realities; bringing together scholars from around the world to share and build upon projects and experiences and, ultimately, assembling this volume as inspiration for colleagues wishing to undertake or study similar projects and experiences.
There are three crucial elements in terms of language learning in this book: telecollaborative/virtual exchange networks; learning in diverse intercultural settings; and contextualization within the digital age we are currently immersed in. These are three of the most challenging scenarios language teachers can implement within the foreign language classroom. However, as will become apparent after reading this book, each and every one of the authors has managed to scrutinise and focus on one, two or all three of these aspects in their research or reflective practice studies.
Despite technology having been mainstream for the past forty odd years, we are nevertheless experiencing the initial stages of the digital revolution that still awaits us. Educational technologies must still take giant steps to satisfy the possibilities of what digitization has to offer, especially in terms of improving accessibility to and sharing of information, increased productivity, cost efficiency, and information preservation. This book aims to help practitioners and researchers alike gain insight into the very many sides of telecollaboration/virtual exchange for language learning, with an intercultural focus, in technology-enhanced environments.
