ERIC Number: EJ1352279
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2618-6586
Available Date: N/A
An Investigation of the Integration of Blogs into EFL Classes: Learners' Views toward Blogs and Preferences for Writing Classes
Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning, v4 n4 p594-604 2021
Writing is especially considered to be a difficult language skill to master for beginner learners. However, this century offers innovations in language education through Information and Communication Technology tools. For instance, blogging platforms like Tumblr, Blogger, and WordPress can be employed in writing classes. At this point, the present research aimed to investigate the views and preferences of English as a Foreign Language learners after they practiced their writing skills with blogs for eight weeks. The research utilized WordPress blogs, and a group of 28 learners attended the study. These students were supposed to start a blog and write an essay each week on their blogs. The research was designed as a qualitative exploratory case study. To collect the data, semi-structured interviews with ten randomly chosen learners were conducted to understand their views toward blogs and preferences for writing classes at the end of the treatment. The content analysis method was instrumented to analyze the qualitative data inductively; thus, the data was first coded, and themes emerged. Unlike the previous studies in the field, these findings have revealed the learners' views towards their self-confidence, digital literacy, and writing habits, which changed in a positive manner. Besides, it was also understood that the participants made their preferences in favor of blogs rather than paper-based activities.
Descriptors: College Students, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Writing Instruction, Student Journals, Web Sites, Electronic Publishing, Student Attitudes, Writing Skills, Technological Literacy, Self Esteem
Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning. Necatibey Faculty of Education, Balikesir University, Balikesir, 10100, Turkey. Web site: dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/jetol
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
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Language: English
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