An Exploratory Investigation Of Online Forum Mediated Collaborative Learning Of Speech Writing: A Case Study

Pushp Lata*, Suman Luhach**
* Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, India.
** Research Scholar, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, India.
Periodicity:January - March'2014
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.4.1.2639

Abstract

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are being integrated in the curriculum by many educational institutions to extend teaching and learning beyond classroom. This paper is based on a case study exploring the integration of LMS Nalanda created on Moodle in Effective Public Speaking (EPS) classroom to give students an additional platform to practice, collaborate and discuss speech writing. Out of many teaching learning facilities available on LMS, the researcher chose online forum as a tool for giving additional practice in speech writing. This tool helped in enhancing learner centeredness on one hand and encouraged equal participation of all the group members on the other. The present paper looks at the researcher's observation of the outcomes of the integration process. One of the important finding was that students' interaction on online forums resulted in improvement of students' performance in speech writing. Higher participation, constructive feedback and community of practice resulted enhancement in their speech organising abilities while preparing the speech draft. Vygotsky's Socio-cultural theory which holds active, interactive and collaborative role of learners in the entire learning process has been used as its theoretical basis.

Keywords

Collaborative Learning, Speech Writing, Online Forums, LMS.

How to Cite this Article?

Lata, P., and Luhach. S. (2014). An Exploratory Investigation Of Online Forum Mediated Collaborative Learning Of Speech Writing: A Case Study. i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 4(1), 18-28. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.4.1.2639

References

[1.] Borsheim, C., Merritt, K. and Reed, D. (2008). “Beyond technology for technology's sake: Advancing Multiliteracies in the Twenty-First century”. The Clearing House,82(2),165-174. Retrieved from http://www. tandf online.com/doi/abs/10.3200/TCHS.82.2.87-90#.Upb PBb1Wg8k.
[2]. Connick, G. P. (1997). “Issues and trends to take us into the twenty-first century”. New Directions for Teaching and Learning,71, pp.7-12. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10.1002/tl.7101/pdf.
[3]. Crook,C. (2008). Web 2.0 technologies for learning: The current landscape – opportunities, challenges and Tensions. Becta 2008, pp.1-72. Retrieved from http://www.
[4]. Eduviews. (2009). Online and Face-to-Face Instruction st Intersect for 21 Century Teaching and Learning. Blackboard, U.S. 1. Retrieved from http://www.blackboard. com/getdoc/.../K12_Blended-Learning_2011.aspx
[5]. Elola, I. & Oskoz, A. (2010). “Collaborative Writing: Fostering Foreign Language and Writing Conventions Development”. Language Learning & Technology. 14(3), pp.51-71. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/vol14num3/ elolaoskoz.pdf.
[6]. Richards, J. C. & Rogers, T. S. (1986). “Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching”. New York, Cambridge University Press.
[7]. Jones, R.G. (2003). “Emerging Technologies Blogs and Wikis: Environments for On-line Collaboration”. Language Learning and Technology 7(2), pp.12-16.
[8]. Kessler, G., Bikowski, D. & Boggs, J. (2012). “Collaborative Writing Among Second Language Learners In Academic Web Based Projects”. Language Learning & Technology.16(1): 91- 109. http://llt.msu.edu/issues/ February 2012/kesslerbikowskiboggs.pdf
[9]. Kimball, L. (2001). “Managing distance learning: New Challenges for faculty”. In R. Hazemi, S. Hailes & S. Wilbur (Eds.). The Digital University: Reinventing the Academy. pp. 25-38. Berlin, Germany.
[10]. Krish,P., Hussin, S. & Sivapuniam N. (2011). “Language Learning and Language Acquisition in Online Forums”. 3L: The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies – Vol 17(2): pp.91 – 100.
[11]. Kuteeva, M. (2007). “The Use of Online Fora in Language Teaching: The Importance of Task Design”. IADIS International Conference e-Learning 2007. Retrieved from http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-38720
[12]. Lata, P. & Singh, R. (2012). “Enhancing Learner Autonomy through self instructional materials”. In Lata, P., Devika and Chauhan,G. S. (eds.) Interfacing ELT with Culture and Technology: Directions for New Classroom. rd Proceedings of 3 ELTAI International Conference on ILCT, October 8-9, 2012, New Delhi, Jain Brothers, pp.173-180.
[13]. Mergendollar, J. R. (1996). “Moving from Technological Possibility to Richer Student Learning: Revitalizing Infrastructure and Reconstructed Pedagogy”. Section 4: Grading the Policymakers' Solution. Educational Researcher, 25(8), pp.43-45.
[14]. Mitchell, R.& Myles, F. (2004), “Second Language Learning Theories”. Hodder Education, UK.
[15]. Montero, B., Watts, F & Garcia-Carbonell, A. (2007). “Discussion forum interactions: Text and context”. System 35 pp.566–582. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/S0346251 X07 000656.
[16]. Ng, Aileen. (2008). “Using Discussion Forums for ESL Communication Skills”. The Internet TESL Journal, 15(10). Retrieved from http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Ng-Discussion Forums.html.
[17]. Nunan, D. (ed.) (1992). “Collaborative Language Learning and Teaching”. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
[18]. Olsen, R. & Kagan, S. (1992). About Cooperative Learning. In C. Kessler (ed.), Cooperative Language Learning: A Teacher's Resource Book. New York. Prentice Hall, 1-30.
[19]. O'Reilly, Tim. (2007). “What is Web 2.0: Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software?” Communications & Strategies, 1, 17. Retrieved from http:// www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/ 30/whatis-web-20.html.
[20]. Pauley, J. (2001). “Bulletin Boards: Expand and Improve Written Communication”. Tech & Learning Article. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/18364
[21]. Prensky, M. (2001a). “Digital natives”, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-5.
[22]. Schmidt, K & Brown,D. (2004). “A Model to Integrate Online Teaching and Learning Tools Into the Classroom” The Journal of Technology Studies pp.86-92. Retrieved from scholar.libvt. edu/ejournals/JOTS/v30/v30n2/pdf/schmidt.pdf
[23]. Sutherland, J., Watts, F., Garcia-Carbonell, A., Montero, B. & Eidsmo, A. (2003). “Fostering aSense of Community in Networked Environments: IDEELS Telematic Simulations”. In Rodrigo Peñarrocha, V. & M. Ferrando Bataller (eds.). Networked Universities and E-Learning. Retrieved from http://www.upv.es/menuconf/CD%20 MENU %20CONFERENCE/1B%20Education/janet_sutherland. pdf.
[24]. Teeler, D., Gray, P. (2006). “How to Use the Internet in ELT”. Pearson Education, 59.
[25]. Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). “Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes”. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
[26]. Warschauer, Mark. (2010). “Invited Commentary: New Tools for Teaching Writing”. Language Learning and Technology.14(1), pp.3-8. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/ vol14num1/commentary.pdf
[27]. Weisberg, R. (2006). “Connecting Speaking and Writing”. Ann Arbor: University of MichiganPress.
[28]. Yang, Y. & Lin, N. C. (2010). “Internet perceptions, online participation and language learning in Moodle forums: A case study on nursing students in Taiwan”. Procedia - Social and BehaviouralSciences, 2(2), pp.2647- 2651. Retrieved from http://libra.msra.cn/ Publication /41416470DOI: 10.1016/ j.sbspro.2010.03.388.
[29]. Hashim, Z. (2006). “Open and Distance Learning: The Effectiveness of Online Discussion Forum in Promoting the Use of English for Communication”. Asia CALL Online Journal 1(1), pp.22-33.
[30]. Scott, S.& Palincsar, A.(2013). Sociocultural Theory. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference /article/sociocultural-theory/
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Pdf 35 35 200 20
Online 35 35 200 15
Pdf & Online 35 35 400 25

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.