Affordances of Web 2.0 Technologies for Collaborative Advanced Writing in a Foreign Language

Authors

  • Carola Strobl University College Ghent

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11139/cj.31.1.1-18

Keywords:

Computer-supported collaborative writing (CSCW), Advanced foreign language writing, Revision process, Text quality, Peer feedback

Abstract

Can online collaboration yield a positive effect on academic writing in a foreign language? If so, what exactly is the added value, compared to individual writing, and (how) does it translate to better output? These are the central questions addressed in this paper. L2 writing research has long highlighted the benefits of collaboration in terms of both L2 learning and text quality. Most recently, the positive effect of co-ownership and peer feedback on process and product has been emphasized in studies on Computer-Supported Collaborative Writing. What has remained underexplored is the impact of web 2.0 technologies on advanced L2 writing. The present paper bridges this gap through an empirical study combining Web 2.0 technologies with an academic writing task. Collaborative and individual writing processes and products are compared by applying a mixed-methods approach. The results shed new light on claims made in previous studies that collaboration leads to higher text accuracy. No statistically relevant difference was found between the individual and collaborative syntheses in terms of complexity, accuracy, and fluency. However, collaborative texts score significantly higher on appropriate content selection and organization. Analysis of the process data shows that this is due to in-depth discussions during the planning phase.

Author Biography

  • Carola Strobl, University College Ghent
    Carola Strobl is a Research Assistant at the Faculty of Applied Language Studies of University College Ghent. She has a teaching career as a German lecturer at universities in Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium, and has been involved in several research projects on  technology-enhanced language learning. Currently, she is writing her dissertation entitled “Exploring the possibilities of online scaffolding for L2 academic writing in individual and collaborative settings”.

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Published

2014-01-31

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Articles

How to Cite

Strobl, C. (2014). Affordances of Web 2.0 Technologies for Collaborative Advanced Writing in a Foreign Language. CALICO Journal, 31(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.11139/cj.31.1.1-18

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