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Constructivist Perspective Web-based Teaching Of English Writing: Classroom Action Research

Posted on:2010-04-07Degree:DoctorType:Dissertation
Country:ChinaCandidate:Q TanFull Text:PDF
GTID:1115360275996942Subject:Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Though computer-based English teaching seem prevalent in China, very few of the English teachers view the use of technology as an integral part of their curriculum. The computer is more of a tool for them to display their traditional teaching, which, for writing classes, means grammar-oriented format writing, rather than a way for the students to explore and experience writing and to enhance their thinking, their writing skills, and their cultural awareness.The rationale of the current study is constructivism. According to the theories of constructivism, process writing, which includes brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing, is a way for the students to construct their knowledge on the bases of their previous experiences. Collaborative learning and contextual learning are also ways that contribute to the improving of the learners' thinking and their language skills.This study consists of three writing activities: an interview report, a group work of an introduction to a world famous university based on the on-line information, and on-line interaction in English with foreign netizens. The objective of the activities is to provide the learners with the best opportunities to actively interact with their peers and native speakers, mostly on-line, thus creating a meaningful way to help students improve their thinking and increase their writing skills and cultural knowledge.The study demonstrates that these activities produced great challenges for the students, who had only written in English for examinations and had never ever used their English for "real life" purposes before. However, the majority of the students reacted positively to the challenges and, in one way or another, "forced" themselves to become active learners and critical thinkers, while providing themselves with skills for the "real world" and improving their writing skills, though a few of them rejected the new teaching method and reacted negatively, for the reason that the authentic assignments were not helpful for the national Band-4 English Test.It is my hope as both a researcher and a teacher that such conclusions would allow teachers to systematically and effectively integrate technology in their curriculum and provide the students with opportunities to improve not only their language skills but also their thinking and cultural awareness.
Keywords/Search Tags:constructivism, action research, technology, foreign language writing
PDF Full Text Request
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