The Effectiveness of Facebook Group Discussions on Writing Performance: A Study in Matriculation College

Author(s):  
Ng Sau Ping ◽  
Mahendran Maniam

<p>Matriculation a pre-tertiary program offered by Ministry of Education for students who have completed their ‘Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia’s’ (SPM) examinations successfully. These excellent students will be required to sit for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) before pursuing their studies in local colleges and universities. MUET comprises all the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. However, matriculation students are still unable to perform well in MUET examination especially the writing component. Researcher aimed to see whether Facebook group discussions can be used as a medium to improve writing skills of students. The main purpose of this study is to look at the effectiveness of Facebook group discussion in writing performance and college students’ perception of using Facebook discussion. This study tested the effect of Facebook discussions by comparing 2 groups of learners (a control group and an experimental group) on writing tasks. The scores of Pre and Post test for both groups will be compared after treatment method of Facebook group discussion on the experimental group. Learners’ attitudes towards the usage of Facebook group discussion and aspects of Facebook that help students to express their opinion. Discussions of the findings will include suggestions on whether Facebook discussions can be used to improve writing performance.</p>

Author(s):  
Moustafa Mohamed Abdelmohsen ◽  
Rohaya Abdullah ◽  
Yasir Azam

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a developed writing module on enhancing the General Foundation Program students’ writing skills. The study made use of a pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design. The study participants incorporated 70 Omani students and 2 EFL teachers. The students were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group incorporated 35 students who studied English at the General Foundation Program of Sur Nursing Institute. The control group involved 35 students who took an English course at The General Foundation Program Centre in Muscat. Both institutions function under the auspices of the Omani Ministry of Health. The control group studied the ministry’s writing syllabus, whereas the experimental group studied the writing module. The writing pre-test was done before module delivery and the post-test was done after the intervention. ANCOVA test was utilized to draw a statistical analogy between the mean scores of tests of both groups. The test findings divulged that there was a statistically significant mean difference between the control and experimental group’s scores in the writing post-test. The module significantly enhanced the experimental group’s writing skills.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Noura Al Burtamani ◽  
Fawzia Al Seyabi ◽  
Abdo Al Mekhlafi

This quasi experimental study aimed at investigating the effect of using Google Docs on EFL Omani college students’ writing performance and students’ perceptions of its use. The sample of the study included 81 Level 3 Foundation Program students in Nizwa College of Technology, Oman. The experimental group consisted of 39 students while the control group consisted of 42 students. The research instruments included a writing performance test that was administered as pre and post- test and a students’ perceptions questionnaire. Data analysis revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the writing performance of the experimental and control groups in favour of the experimental group. The experimental group outperformed the control group in task achievement, task organization, grammar and vocabulary. Also, the students perceived using Google Docs in EFL writing as a very beneficial tool in improving their writing and collaboration skills. In light of these findings, a number of recommendations for practice are presented.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1.2) ◽  
pp. 358-371
Author(s):  
Noemi Mercedes Remache Carrillo ◽  
Sandra Paulina Porras Pumalema ◽  
Diana Carolina Campaña Días ◽  
Mónica Alexandra Garcés Villacrés

Introduction: higher education has experienced a number of changes in the teaching field due to the current situation. In this context, e-learning through educational platforms has taken on great value in the teaching-learning process. Objective: to apply an educational intervention through the Moodle platform to consolidate the skills of the English language in the students of the industrial maintenance career of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo during the special period April-September 2020. Methodology: this investigation was carried out in the context of mandatory teleworking due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This mixed research had a descriptive approach with a quasi-experimental focus. To achieve the main goal, 70 students from the third semester took an active part in it who were divided into two study groups: the control group and the experimental group, with 35 students respectively. Before the intervention phase, information was collected through a survey which yielded important general data related to their socio-demographic information and self-perception of their level of English. At the same time, a pre-test of knowledge of the language was taken from the students which was based on the Cambridge PET exam. With this exam, data were obtained for the development of the intervention plan that was implemented throughout the semester. Results: after the intervention phase, the students took a post-test and the corresponding means could be compared. They obtained 9.20 for the control group and 11.99 for the experimental group as final scores. Conclusion: it is concluded that the Moodle Platform is a valuable didactic support to improve English language skills.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-576
Author(s):  
Murad Al Kayed ◽  
Majd Alkayid ◽  
Mohareb Ali Alsmadi

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of dialogue journal writing (DJW) on learning the vocabulary, organization, and grammar of English. It also explores the impact of DJW on the attitudes of students towards writing in English. Methodology: The sample of the study consists of 50 undergraduate Jordanian students divided equally into an experimental and control group. The control group was given traditional writing instruction while the experimental group was taught using dialogue journal writing. The study used a pre and post-test to investigate the impact of DJW on writing skills, while a questionnaire was used to unveil the attitudes of students to writing. Main Findings: The results of the research revealed that the vocabulary, organization, and grammar learned by the experimental group were significantly improved (p<0.05) compared to the control group. The study also found out that students taught using DJW developed positive attitudes towards writing better than students exposed only to conventional teaching methods of writing. Applications of this study: The present study is beneficial in providing teachers of English as a foreign language with new methods to teach writing skills. Novelty/Originality of this study: The current study is significant since the impact of dialogue journals on writing is under-researched in the Jordanian context.


2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27
Author(s):  
Zahoor Ul-Haq ◽  
Bushra Ahmed Khurram

This study was undertaken to investigate the outcome of using the activity based learning method on the development of writing skills of students of grade 6. The study used pretest post-test equivalent group design. 50 students were randomly selected from a government school as sample for this study. They were divided into experimental and control groups based on the scores they achieved in pre-test. Students in the experimentalgroup received instruction through activity based method of learning. In contrast, the traditional method of teaching writing was used for teaching the control group. A comparison of pre- and post-test scores on writing measure evidenced that the experimental group performed better that the control group on writing post-test. It was concluded that activities helped enhance the writing skills of the experimental group. This finding suggests that students of elementary level should be engaged in activity based learning to enhance their writing skills.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Amal Aamir Al Badi ◽  
Mohamed El Tahir Osman ◽  
Abdo, M. Al-Mekhlafi

The present study aimed to examine the impact of Virtual Writing Tutor (VWT) software on the academic writing skills of Year 1 Omani EFL students in the College of Applied Science, (CAS)-Sohar and their attitudes towards using VWT software to enhance their academic writing skills. The sample consisted of 35 students in the control group and 35 in the experimental group (Total N= 70) who were enrolled in the English for Academic Purposes (ENAP1002) course at CAS-Sohar. The data collection tools included pre-test and post-test for the two groups, and attitude scale for the experimental group. The findings of the study showed a positive large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.88) of VWT on writing skills. In addition, Year 1 students in the experimental group enjoyed using the VWT software and found it beneficial and helpful in checking the accuracy of their essays including spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary. In light of the research findings, implications and recommendations for future research were outlined.


2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (04) ◽  
pp. 206-220
Author(s):  
Mahrous Mohamed SOLIMAN

This study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of using Mind mapping strategy in developing writing skills for sixth year primary school students in Qatar. Quasi-experimental design was used in this study. The population was the sixth year students of Al Forqan primary school for boys with a total number of 103 students. Out of this population, a purposive sample of 51 students was taken, the control group (27 students) and the experimental group (24 students). First, the data was collected by using a prewriting test. Then, the experiment had been implemented. Next, the second part of the data was collected using the posttest. The data obtained were analyzed by using t-test formula. The findings of study were: A) there are statistically significant differences between the mean scores obtained by participants in the pre-test and those of the post-test of the experimental group in writing skills in favor to the posttest. B) there are statistically significant differences between the mean scores obtained by participants in the post-test of the control group and the experimental group in writing skills in favor to the experimental group. Depending on the statistical analyses of the hypotheses of the study, we can safely conclude that exposing students to the training strategy helped them develop their performance during the post administration of the writing skills test. In light of the results, a number of points can be recommended: writing skills via mind mapping strategy use in the primary stage specially in the 6th grade students should be emphasized in teaching writing skills. Moreover, deliberation attempts should be made to help students in the primary stage acquire and use the writing as amusing as possible. Furthermore, the objectives of teaching English language should concentrate on writing skills beyond the mechanics level and emphasize writing as a process.


Author(s):  
Mohamed A. Elkot ◽  
◽  
Rabea Ali

This study investigated the impact of developing learning app via handheld devices based on some self-regulated learning strategies for improving English writing skills and motivation among intensive English language preparatory program students. The sample was chosen from English language preparation program students at college of sciences and Arts. The random sample consisted of (n=40) students. Those students were divided into two similar groups, Experimental and Control groups. To collect the data of the study, the Authors used a pre-posttest, interviews with the students and a motivation scale. T-test was used to compare between the two groups at the pre and post-test. The results revealed an observed improvement in writing skills, motivation, and attitudes for the benefit of experimental group. Moreover, the findings revealed that there were statistical differences between pre and post-test for the experimental group. No differences were found, according to the control group.


Author(s):  
Thekrayat Ali Al-Subaihat, Ahmad Mousa Bataineh

This study aimed to explore the effect of using IPod technology on EFL students' writing skill. It also aimed to investigate whether teaching writing via using IPod Technology is better than the conventional method of teaching. To carry out the study, 65 male and female undergraduate EFL students who registered for a Writing 2 course at, Al-alBayt University, in the second semester of the academic year 2015/2016 were chosen as participants of the study. They were assigned randomly into two groups: Group one consisted of 35 students, which was chosen as an experimental group and was taught writing using IPod technology and group two consisted of 30 students, which was assigned as a control group and was taught using conventional method of teaching. Both groups were taught the same material, on the same days of the week, and on the same period. Both groups sat for a pre-post-test to assure that both groups have the same linguistic ability level in the aspects of writing. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to conduct the required statistical analysis of the data related to the objectives of the study. Means, standard deviations, one-way ANOVA, and Scheffe tests were used for all the variables of the study. Data were collected within eight weeks. The findings of the study showed that there were statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the experimental group and control group students' writing performance in favor of the experimental group. Thus progress might be due to using IPod technology. A number of related recommendations were presented to the Ministry of Education and the teachers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
Tawffeek A. S. Mohammed ◽  
Blanche Nyingome Assam ◽  
Mustapha Saidi

The present study aims to investigate the role that Web 2.0 tools can play in the enhancement of productive and receptive language skills of students of Arabic as a foreign language. The study is part of an ongoing project on the integration of Web 2.0 tools in teaching Arabic as a foreign language and the attitudes of the learners towards them. The design of the study is pre-post, experimental-control group. The sample consisted of (30) students: an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15), doing their BA in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the International Peace College South Africa (IPSA). The experiment took place in the Language Skills module for 12 weeks.  A technology-enhanced programme that utilises a myriad of Web 2.0 tools was used in teaching the experimental group. The control group students, however, were taught using a traditional teaching methodology in a brick-and-mortar classroom and they did not receive any technology-enhanced instruction. The study concluded that the use of Web 2.0 tools has contributed to the enhancement of the language skills and vocabulary of the students.  The findings indicated that there was a significant statistical difference between the scores of the two groups in the language skills and vocabulary post-test in favour of the experimental group.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document