What is it about?
It is presumed that there is a dearth of research on how best to acquire academic writing online at this critical juncture. To fill this gap, 126 Saudi students were surveyed online, and 20 of them were chosen to complete a semi-structured interview. Five main obstacles were identified: lack of active student-teacher communication; technological difficulties, time allotted to perform tasks, insufficient academic assistance; and issues related to feedback from the teacher. Four main mechanisms for coping with these obstacles have also been identified: flexibility regarding limiting the time allotted to complete tasks online; choosing a student in each group to present problems regarding online academic writing; making initiatives to develop students' awareness of dealing with educational tools in academic writing; activating feedback from teachers and peers. Two benefits of online writing education were found: extensive use of educational materials and online teaching platforms, and available opportunities to practice academic writing online.
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Why is it important?
The study addresses a critical gap in existing research by focusing on the specific challenges faced by Saudi students in acquiring academic writing skills online. Despite the increasing prevalence of online education, there is limited research on the challenges faced by students in this context. By identifying these obstacles and proposing coping mechanisms, the study contributes valuable insights to the field of online education and academic writing. Understanding the obstacles faced by students in online academic writing courses is crucial for educators and institutions. By recognizing the challenges such as lack of communication, technological difficulties, and issues with feedback, educators can tailor their online teaching methods to provide more effective support. The identified coping mechanisms offer practical strategies that can be implemented to enhance the learning experience for students, thereby informing and improving online educational practices.
Perspectives
The study's findings provide actionable insights that can directly impact the learning experience of Saudi students and potentially students in similar contexts worldwide. By addressing issues related to online academic writing, educators can create a more conducive learning environment, fostering active student engagement and improving the overall quality of education. The study's findings open avenues for further research in the field of online education and academic writing. Educators, researchers, and policymakers can build upon these findings to conduct more in-depth studies, explore additional challenges, and develop innovative solutions. This cyclical process of research, implementation, and further research is vital for the continuous improvement of online education practices.
Dr Montasser Mohamed Abdelwahab Mahmoud
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Teaching Academic Writing Using Online Tools: An Experimental Study at Imam Abdulrahman University, The Egyptian Journal of Language Engineering, September 2023, Egypts Presidential Specialized Council for Education and Scientific Research,
DOI: 10.21608/ejle.2023.229519.1051.
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