ERIC Number: EJ939279
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Sep
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1556-1607
EISSN: N/A
Scaffolding Collaborative Technical Writing with Procedural Facilitation and Synchronous Discussion
Yeh, Shiou-Wen; Lo, Jia-Jiunn; Huang, Jeng-Jia
International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, v6 n3 p397-419 Sep 2011
With the advent of computer technology, researchers and instructors are attempting to devise computer support for effective collaborative technical writing. In this study, a computer-supported environment for collaborative technical writing was developed. This system (Process-Writing Wizard) provides process-oriented scaffolds and a synchronous online chat room to facilitate real-time collaborative writing practice. It allows multiple students to work synchronously on collaborative writing tasks via the Internet. It also helps develop collaborative writing strategies, such as creating team agendas, brainstorming, creating team outlines, and generating team articles. An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of the system on EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students' collaborative writing experiences. First, an attitude questionnaire was used to evaluate learners' perceptions, acceptance, attitudes, and continuing motivation toward the functionalities and guidance provided by the system. Second, students' writing products were examined to evaluate the effect of the system on EFL students' collaborative writing quality, especially on content and organization. Finally, this study analyzed and coded students' synchronous chats with three categories (article-related interactions, social interactions, and system operation-related interactions) to evaluate the effect of the system on students' interactions. The results of the experiment showed: (1) the students had positive attitudes toward the system and continuing motivation to use the system in future writing tasks; (2) analysis of writing products suggested that students produced better content and organization with the support of the system; (3) the procedural facilitation provided by the system successfully scaffolded students to converse more in the category of article-related interactions. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.
Descriptors: Technical Writing, Writing Strategies, Student Motivation, Writing Processes, Collaborative Writing, Cooperative Learning, Brainstorming, English (Second Language), Attitude Measures, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Computer Software, Discussion, Computer Mediated Communication, Asynchronous Communication, Internet, Computer Software Evaluation, Instructional Effectiveness, Questionnaires, Synchronous Communication
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A