ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the concept of collaborative activity as an intersubjective, goal-oriented, and dialectical process leading to the co-construction and internalization of L2 knowledge. Within the context of computer-assisted language learning, wikis, 3D virtual worlds and 3D digital games are popular environments which appear to be particularly suitable for the promotion of collaboration in the L2 context and are thus the focus of the chapter. First, I provide a historical overview of collaborative work within the framework of sociocultural theory and some of its applications to digital technologies. In the second section, I review research on collaboration in the virtual world and discuss some of the traits that have been found supportive of collaborative activity among L2 users. For instance, wikis seem to be very useful for supporting the development of reflective skills while 3D virtual worlds offer rich visual contextualization for L2 activity rendering them unique environments for L2 learning. The final sections focus on methodological issues as well as aspects to consider in future design and research related to collaborative activity and computer-based technologies for L2 learning and teaching.
