A TEXTOGRAPHY OF THE COMPLEX PROCESS OF LEARNING AND TEACHING ONLINE

Abstract

In this paper, I present an attempt similar to what Swales (1998) did when he wrote a textography of a university building. A textographer looks for pieces of paper in which he finds ways of life. The difference is this is meant to be a textography of my own complex path as an online learner and teacher. By complex, I do not mean complicated, rather I analyze the data through a Complexity Theory lens, embracing interconnectedness and dynamism. Complex systems and Applied Linguistics have been gradually seen together in publications since a seminal article by Larsen-Freeman (1997). References in other areas of knowledge also serve as my theoretical background. The features of complex systems (non-linearity, unpredictability, sensitiveness to initial conditions, openness, feedback sensitiveness, adaptability) are exemplified with textual samples. Metaphorically, I am the textographer searching through my lifelong online learning and teaching portfolio for clues which may reveal the intricacies of this path