Open AccessThe effect of online collaborative project-based learning on English as a Foreign Language learners' language performance and attitudes
Author(s) -
Laila Suleiman Al Rawahi,
Abdu Moh'd Al-Mekhlafi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
learning and teaching in higher education: gulf perspectives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.103
0ISSN - 2077-5504
DOI - 10.18538/lthe.v12.n2.186
Subject(s) - mathematics education , test (biology) , english as a foreign language , foreign language , psychology , reading (process) , control (management) , academic year , collaborative learning , english language , sample (material) , computer science , medical education , pedagogy , medicine , paleontology , chemistry , chromatography , artificial intelligence , political science , law , biology
The present study investigated the effect of online collaborative project-based learning on the language performance and attitudes of intermediate level students at the College of Applied Sciences in Oman. The study is a quasi-experimental study and the sample consisted of four classes (93 students in total) in Nizwa College of Applied Sciences. These participants were in their foundation year and were taking the Academic English Course during the time of the research experiment. Two classes were assigned to the experimental group (46 students) and they were directed to collaborate online in doing their research projects. The other two classes were assigned to the control group (47 students) and did their projects individually. A language test containing reading and writing questions, an attitude questionnaire, students' project scores and transcripts of focused group discussions were used to collect the data needed to answer the research questions. The study revealed that the main positive effect of online collaborative project-based learning was clear on students' writing skill in the post test (i.e. students in the experimental group outperformed students in the control group).