ERIC Number: EJ1416292
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1547-500X
Available Date: N/A
Authentic Tasks in EFL E-Forums: A Bridge for Knowledge Construction and Interaction Enhancement
Diana Angélica Parra Pérez; Yuri Natali Sarmiento Salamanca; Jennyfer Paola Camargo Cely; María Catalina Caro-Torres; Aura María Estacio Barrios
Journal of Educators Online, v21 n1 2024
This study used sequential exploratory, mixed-method research that explored the influence of authentic tasks on adult language learners' interactions in e-forums. The participants belonged to a blended-flipped program of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). E-Forum posting in the course aimed at encouraging beginner learners to exchange experiences; however, participation in the e-forums did not evolve into spontaneous interactions. Therefore, authentic tasks were designed and implemented in the e-forum. Data were gathered from learners' participation registers, surveys, and interviews and by executing a content-analysis procedure. After analyzing the data, one main category and three subcategories emerged. The main category showed that implementing authentic tasks on students' e-forums interactions led to the collaborative construction of a cognitive-social e-learning environment. The main category comprised three subcategories: (a) building a learning community by interweaving affective-communicative actions, (b) promoting an online learning environment through authenticity, and (c) moving from individual to collective knowledge construction. Findings suggest that the implementation of authentic tasks on e-forums: (a) increased learners' meaningful interactions mediated by social, cognitive, and teaching presences; (b) helped to construct significant and lifelong knowledge collectively; and (c) fostered a stronger learning community through participants' affective-communicative actions.
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Blended Learning, Flipped Classroom, Computer Mediated Communication, Authentic Learning, Student Attitudes, Cooperative Learning, Communities of Practice, Teaching Methods, Peer Relationship, Teacher Student Relationship, Foreign Countries, Adult Learning, Program Descriptions
Journal of Educators Online. Grand Canyon University, 23300 West Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017. e-mail: CIRT@gcu.edu. Web site: https://www.thejeo.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Colombia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A