The Impact of Weblog on Omani Learners' Writing Skills in the English Language

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of utilizing weblog on facilitating teaching writing at Buraimi University College (BUC) and to explore the extent to which a blog as a computer-mediated tool enhances learners' writing skills in English as a foreign language e(EFL), English as a second language (ESL). Vygotsky's model will be adopted in this study. Furthermore, a process approach is employed to involve students in writing. A mixed-method of qualitative and quantitative was embraced. Three instruments were used to answer the research questions of the study. The participants consisting of 60 students, were placed into two groups: 30 students for experimental group (Ex.G.) and 30 for the controlled group (Cont. G.). Also, 30 EFL teachers (15 males and 15 females) were selected randomly. Pre-and post-tests were assigned to both groups before and after incorporating weblog as a teaching tool. Questionnaires were distributed to (Ex. G) to check the effect of using a weblog on students' writing quality. Interviews were also conducted with both teachers and students. The findings reveal that the students of weblog group significantly outperform their counterparts. This study concludes that integrating weblogs in teaching is of paramount importance to language learners and a promising tool in higher education.

Challenges in online learning of English as a foreign language during the COVID-19 pandemic: Students’ perspective at Ajman University, UAE

“…Additionally, in another study seeking to determine Kuwaiti undergraduate students' perceptions of Internet communication technologies in writing classes at a private HE institution in Kuwait, the results revealed that the students believed that the online tool was a valuable resource that provided them with the convenience and with the ability to learn on their own (Erguvan, 2015). Moreover, Alkhoudary (2018) aimed to examine how a blog as a computer-mediated tool develops learners' writing skills in English as a foreign language (EFL). The study's findings confirmed that integrating weblogs into teaching significantly impacts language learning at higher educational institutions.…”

The Effectiveness of Using Technology on Students' Speaking Skills in an ESL Traditional Classroom

“…Dennis(2012)arguesthatmost activitiesintraditionalclassroomsdependonteacherlecturing,askingandansweringquestions.The currentconventionalmethodusesCDsorstereoplayerstoplaytheaudioforthewholegroup.In traditionalclassroom,teacherslecturematerialswhilestudentsreceivewithnoaction (Messier,2002). Classroomteachingaloneisnotenoughtocoverindividualrequirementsasindividualdifferencesare notconsideredandneglected.Additionally,Ahmadi(2017)maintainsthatoneofthemostimportant componentsforenhancingleaningoutputisthemethodsusedinclassrooms.Therefore,asynchronous learningisrequiredtoconstructautonomousenvironmentvialiveclassroomandcomputer-mediated buttheproblemisintheintrovertstudentswhoaredisregardedinESLclassrooms (Alkhoudary, 2018a).Itiscrucialtomingletwoapplicationstocreatemoreproductiveteachingmethod (Wangetal., 2009). Inst'anah(2017) (Alkhoudary,2018).…”