ELECTRONIC FEEDBACK: IS IT BENEFICIAL FOR SECOND LANGUAGE WRITERS?

• Authors: Lilian Farag Allah
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Feedback is one of the essential elements in the writing classroom. With its two forms, teacher and peer, feedback can help students modify their essays to produce better later drafts. However, the practice of feedback in class does not go without some drawbacks on both the teacher and students’ side. This paper tries to demonstrate by reference to recent studies how the use of electronic feedback can aid in providing a better environment for feedback that can, consequently, result in better essays by the students. The paper presents some classroom practices regarding the use of electronic feedback.

Keywords

EN

feedback; writing; ESL

• Publisher: IATEFL Poland Computer Special Interest Group & University of Nicosia
• Journal: Teaching English with Technology
• Year: 2008
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 3

Contributors

author

Lilian Farag Allah

• The American University in Cairo Cairo, Egypt

References

• Chen, J. (1997). Computer generated error feedback and writing process: A link. TESL-EJ 2(3). Retrieved Tuesday, November 14, 2006 from http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/tesl-ej/ej07/a1.html
• Dickinson, P. (1992). Feedback that works: Using the computer to respond. Retrieved Tuesday, November 14, 2006 from ERIC database.
• Farag Allah, L. (2008). Trained peer review and its effect on fluency and argumentation in university argumentative writing classroom. Unpublished Master’s thesis. Cairo: the American University.
• Ferris, D. (2003). Responding to writing. In B. Kroll (Ed.), Exploring the Dynamics of Second Language Writing (pp. 119-140). NY: Cambridge University Press
• Ferris, D., & Hedgcock, J. (2005). Teaching ESL composition: Purpose, Process, and Practice. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
• Heift, T. & Caws, C. (2000). Peer feedback in synchronous writing environments: A case study in French. Educational Technology & Society 3(3). Retrieved Thursday, November 16, 2006 from http://ifets.massey.ac.nz/periodical/vol_3_2000/v_3_2000.html.
• Hyland, K. (2003). Second Language Writing. NY: Cambridge University Press.
• Leki, I. (1990). Coaching from the margins: Issues in written response. In B. Kroll (Ed.), Second Language Writing: Research Insights for the Classroom. (pp. 57 – 68). NY: Cambridge University Press.
• Liu, J. & Sadler, R. (2003). The effect and affect of peer review in electronic versus traditional modes on L2 writing. Journal of English for Academic Purposes 2, 193–227.
• Macdonald, J. (2001). Exploiting online interactivity to enhance assignment development and feedback in distance education. Open Learning 16(2), 179-190.
• Marttunen, M., & Laurinen, L. (1998). Learning of argumentation in face-to-face and e-mail environments. Retrieved Monday, October 16, 2006 from the ERIC database.
• Matsumura, S. & Hann, G. (2004). Computer anxiety and students' preferred feedback methods in EFL writing. The Modern Language Journal, 88(3), 403-415.
• Pennington, M. (2003). The impact of the computer in second language writing. In B. Kroll (Ed.), Exploring the Dynamics of Second Language Writing (pp. 287-310). NY: Cambridge University Press.
• Prins, F., Sluijsmans, D., Kirschner, P., & Strijbos, J. (2005). Formative peer assessment in a CSCL environment: a case study. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 30(4), 417-444.
• Rollinson, P. (2005). Using peer feedback in the ESL writing class. ELT Journal 59(1), 23-30.
• Sjper, E. & Brakels, J. (ND). Changing writing processes using ICT. Electronic peer review in collaborative writing. Retrieved Tuesday, November 14, 2006 from http://www.tbm.tudelft.nl/webstaf/elsd/ICTOlijn3/documenten/papergalwayellen.doc
• Snyder, M. (1996). The paperless writing course: A relevant business writing course. Retrieved Wednesday, November 15, 2006 from ERIC database.
• Sullivan, N., & Pratt, E. (1996). A comparative study of two ESL writing environments: a computer-assisted classroom and a traditional oral classroom. System, 24(4), 491-501.
• Tuzi, F. (2001). E-feedback's impact on ESL writers' revisions. Retrieved Thursday, November 16, 2006 from the ERIC database.