Effect of Student Team Achievement Division through WebQuest on EFL Students' Argumentative Writing Skills and Their Instructors' Perceptions

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Effect of Student Team Achievement Division through WebQuest on EFL Students' Argumentative Writing Skills and Their Instructors' Perceptions
Language: English
Authors: Awada, Ghada (ORCID 0000-0001-8486-1630), Burston, Jack (ORCID 0000-0003-2905-5585), Ghannage, Rosie
Source: Computer Assisted Language Learning. 2020 33(3):275-300.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 26
Publication Date: 2020
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, English (Second Language), Comparative Analysis, Writing Instruction, Persuasive Discourse, Writing Skills, Teaching Methods, Web Based Instruction, Cooperative Learning, Teacher Attitudes, Pretests Posttests, Academic Achievement, Inquiry, Native Language, Semitic Languages, College Students, Advanced Students, Language Tests
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Test of English as a Foreign Language
DOI: 10.1080/09588221.2018.1558254
ISSN: 0958-8221
Abstract: This study investigated the effectiveness of integrating Student Team Achievement Division (STAD), a structured cooperative learning method, and "WebQuest," an inquiry-based technological model (IBTM) on developing university English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' advanced-level argumentative writing skills and enhancing instructors' positive perceptions about teaching and learning. The study, which was undertaken over a 12-week academic semester, employed a mixed methods pre-test/post-test control/experimental group design whereby six intact rhetoric classes were randomly assigned to experimental and control conditions. The experimental group participants (N = 54) were enrolled in four classes and received argumentative writing instruction incorporating STADIBTM whereas their control group counterparts (N = 24) were enrolled in two classes and received the same argumentative writing instruction without STADIBTM. Four instructors who were involved with the experimental group received training on the implementation of STADIBTM. Qualitative data collection and analysis were utilized. The argumentative essay pre-tests and post-tests along with pre-treatment and post-treatment surveys were used to collect data. The quantitative results were evaluated using ANCOVA analyses. The findings showed that only the less skilled participants of the experimental and control groups were able to significantly improve their argumentative writing. However, their instructors were able to develop more positive pedagogical perceptions and perceived fewer challenges because of STADIBTM-based instruction. Further recommendations are given.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2020
Accession Number: EJ1251215
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study investigated the effectiveness of integrating Student Team Achievement Division (STAD), a structured cooperative learning method, and "WebQuest," an inquiry-based technological model (IBTM) on developing university English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' advanced-level argumentative writing skills and enhancing instructors' positive perceptions about teaching and learning. The study, which was undertaken over a 12-week academic semester, employed a mixed methods pre-test/post-test control/experimental group design whereby six intact rhetoric classes were randomly assigned to experimental and control conditions. The experimental group participants (N = 54) were enrolled in four classes and received argumentative writing instruction incorporating STADIBTM whereas their control group counterparts (N = 24) were enrolled in two classes and received the same argumentative writing instruction without STADIBTM. Four instructors who were involved with the experimental group received training on the implementation of STADIBTM. Qualitative data collection and analysis were utilized. The argumentative essay pre-tests and post-tests along with pre-treatment and post-treatment surveys were used to collect data. The quantitative results were evaluated using ANCOVA analyses. The findings showed that only the less skilled participants of the experimental and control groups were able to significantly improve their argumentative writing. However, their instructors were able to develop more positive pedagogical perceptions and perceived fewer challenges because of STADIBTM-based instruction. Further recommendations are given.
ISSN:0958-8221
DOI:10.1080/09588221.2018.1558254