Investigation on use of web-based conferencing tools for intercultural communication competence development

这项研究的主要目的是调查学生在参与英语语言互动时如何有机会培养“全球能力”或“跨文化技能”。在实践方面，该研究考察了信息和通信技术在促进这种能力或技能方面的效用，并探讨了在使用信息和通信技术时，不同形式的教学实践如何阻碍或促进学习。定期Skype小组视频会议与位于不同国家的三至四名学生参与者进行。课程每周或每两周进行一次，在为期15周的学期中，小组会面4到8次。

The key general purpose of the study was to investigate how students can be afforded opprotunities to cultivate "global competence" or "intercultural skills" when engaging in English language interactions. In practical terms the study examined the utility of ICT to promote such competence or skills, and to explore how different forms of teaching practice might impede or promote learning when undertaken using ICT.Regular Skype group video meetings were conducted with groups of three to four student participants located in different countries. Sessions were conducted weekly or biweekly, and groups met between four and eight times over the course of a 15 week semester.