ERIC Number: EJ1166488
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Dec
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2013-9144
EISSN: N/A
The Impact of Wikis and Discussion Boards on Learning English as a Second Language. A Mixed Methods Research
Sánchez-Gómez, Ma. Cruz; Pinto-Llorente, Ana Ma.; García-Peñalvo, Francisco José
Digital Education Review, n32 p35-59 Dec 2017
In the field of teaching a second language (L2), technology has always occupied a relevant position. The development of new technological tools has allowed the convergence of two learning environments, traditional face-to-face learning and virtual learning. This convergence has fostered the advantages of both types of instructions and the possibilities to learn a L2. In this study, researchers tried to explore pre-service teachers' perspectives towards the use of wikis and discussion boards to improve writing skills in English and promote autonomous and collaborative learning in a B-learning environment. 358 preservice teachers participated in the study in which a mixed methods research approach was adopted to integrate results and have a broader vision of the phenomenon. The results suggested pre-service teachers' positive perception of the e-activities developed to improve the quality of their English, feeling more confidence in that language. They highlighted the opportunities afforded by wikis to create collective texts based on their agreements and individual contributions that promoted individual and cooperative learning, and by discussion boards to communicate, solve problems, get consensus or support a dynamic process. The fact of using a mixed methods research approach enhanced the validity and reliability of data, and added rigor to the study.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Preservice Teachers, Second Language Learning, English (Second Language), Student Attitudes, Writing Skills, Skill Development, Collaborative Writing, Electronic Publishing, Electronic Learning, Computer Mediated Communication, Cooperative Learning, Mixed Methods Research, Learning Activities, Problem Solving, Pretests Posttests, Semi Structured Interviews, Outcomes of Education, Statistical Significance
Universitat de Barcelona. Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 171, Edifici Llevant P3, Barcelona, 08035 Spain. e-mail: der@greav.net; Web site: http://greav.ub.edu/der
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Spain
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A