The discussion presented here represents the initial reflection of my doctoral research. The main purpose of this research is to propose an organization of a multimodal data bank in semi-integrated and integrated Teletandem (Aranha & Cavalari, 2014) modalities. “Teletandem is a virtual, autonomous, and collaborative context that uses online teleconferencing tools (text, voice, and webcam images of VoIP technology, such as Skype) to promote intercontinental and intercultural interactions between students who are learning a foreign language” (Telles, 2015: 2). During these interactions, the interactants produce some genres to communicate. All production is saved in the computers and then saved in external hard disks. As result, we have a considerable amount of research data. The data bank organization will be based on the bazermanian conception of genres system according to which genres occur in an activity system (Bazerman, 1994; 2005). According to this conception, every social activity is done through genre sets, which are interrelated within a genre system, occurring in an activity system. The argument is grounded on the socio-rhetorical genre approach, which comprehend genres as a typified and socially situated action. Based on this assumption, I believe it will be possible to propose an organization of the data bank which will optimize researcher’s time and it will make possible future diachronic studies. It will also help to understand how teletandem learning of a foreign language works. The question that guides my research is “Considering the genres characterist ics of teletandem practice, how is it possible to organize a multimodal data bank in integrated and semi-integrated Teletandem? I will try to use the methodology proposed by Chanier and Wigham (2016) “to transform […] data from online learning situations”. It will be also relevant to consider the concept of learning scenario (Foucher, 2010) as the space where there is the occurrence of one genre instead of another. Data were collected from 2012 to 2015, when around 655 hours of video interaction were recorded, 477 chats, 849 reflexives diaries, 180 questionnaires (initial and final) and 1444 texts were produced. Texts were also revised and rewritten by the participants. The objective of this presentation is to share a) the status of this work to the international community of researchers on Computer Mediated Communication, so that the work can be improved by the comments of its members, and b) especially the questions I have faced during this stage of the research.
Keywords: Teletandem, genre system, activity system, learning scenario