Open AccessUsing Google Docs in Omani EFL College Classes: Students’ Writing Performance and Perceptions towards Use
Author(s) -
Noura Al Burtamani,
Fawzia Al Seyabi,
Abdo Al Mekhlafi
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international research in education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2327-5499
DOI - 10.5296/ire.v8i1.15975
Subject(s) - grammar , perception , vocabulary , task (project management) , mathematics education , test (biology) , psychology , control (management) , significant difference , sample (material) , medical education , computer science , medicine , engineering , paleontology , philosophy , linguistics , chemistry , systems engineering , chromatography , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , biology
This quasi experimental study aimed at investigating the effect of using Google Docs on EFL Omani college students’ writing performance and students’ perceptions of its use. The sample of the study included 81 Level 3 Foundation Program students in Nizwa College of Technology, Oman. The experimental group consisted of 39 students while the control group consisted of 42 students. The research instruments included a writing performance test that was administered as pre and post- test and a students’ perceptions questionnaire. Data analysis revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the writing performance of the experimental and control groups in favour of the experimental group. The experimental group outperformed the control group in task achievement, task organization, grammar and vocabulary. Also, the students perceived using Google Docs in EFL writing as a very beneficial tool in improving their writing and collaboration skills. In light of these findings, a number of recommendations for practice are presented.