The JALT CALL Journal
Vol. 4, No. 2, August 2008

Fostering Departmental Communication and Collaboration with Online Discussion Forums

Kurtis McDonald
Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan
　

Abstract:

The use of computer-mediated communication has been shown to be effective in reducing teacher isolation and supportive of substantial collaboration between teachers. In particular, online discussion forums may provide numerous opportunities for instructors within the same department to better coordinate their efforts and the flexibility in doing so at anytime and from anywhere with an Internet connection. This paper seeks to provide a rationale for the use of online discussion forums to foster departmental communication and collaboration and examines the output and perceived effectiveness of one such forum used by a faculty composed of limited-contract, English language instructors at a large, private university in Japan over the course of one academic year.