Mediated electronic discourse and computational linguistic analysis: Improving learning through choice of effective communication methods

Rachel Panckhurst
Université Paul-Valéry, Montpellier 3

The author conducted research on the ways in which electronic mail, forums and chats are used within an online distance, open and virtual learning environment (WebCT) at a French University, for both on and off-campus students. This article briefly describes research on how computational linguistic analyses help us understand language evolution in the context of higher/further education and research. Results may lead teachers and tutors to choose more effective communication methods, thereby improving overall learning.

Keywords: mediated electronic discourse, computer-mediated communication (CMC), computational linguistics, virtual-learning environments (VLE)