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Meaningful learner interaction is critical to developing second language skills.... What are some tasks that facilitate interaction and build learner community when teaching and learning online?

"This article advocates that, through collaborative technology‐mediated tasks, we can promote productive language output (spoken and written) and the type of interaction that facilitates language learning and motivates students to continue improving their language skills."

"The online teachers provided support by building ties to students through interactions via discussion forums and individual communications. Peers also provided support through online forums and webinar-facilitated exchanges. Online teacher and peer student support contributed to the formation of virtual online learning communities. This is important as social and academic integration are mechanisms for retention and success. This research is significant as the numbers of online students have increased markedly in recent times, but student support services do not appear to have changed accordingly. Further, support models for retention and success have not been adequately adapted to suit online learners' needs."