THE USE OF COMPUTER TOOLS TO SUPPORT MEANINGFUL INTERACTION BETWEEN LEARNERS: A LOOK AT FOUR STUDIES

The computer and the Internet have shown themselves to be a great ally in language learning by enabling learners with opportunities for synchronous and asynchronous interactions (PAIVA, 2001; WARSCHAUER 1997). In this presentation, some forms of Internet use will be presented in the process of language learning, based on reviews of studies in this respect, such as the use of emails (MORAES, 2003), the use of blogs (GONÇALVES, 2009), the use of tandem learning (SOUZA, 2003) and the use of teletandem learning (SILVA, 2012; FIGUEIREDO; SILVA, 2014). These studies show that the interactions between learners when carried out with the aid of technology can be more significant for their having a more communicative purpose, as well as allowing them to deal not only with linguistic aspects but also with cultural aspects.