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Fostering 21st Century Skills Using an Online Discussion Forum in an English for Specific Purpose Course

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Title: Fostering 21st Century Skills Using an Online Discussion Forum in an English for Specific Purpose Course
Language: English
Authors: Jamali, Mazura, Krish, Pramela
Source: Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction. Jan 2021 18(1):219-240.
Availability: Universiti Utara Malaysia Press. UUM Press, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 08010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. Tel: +60-4-928-4816; Fax: +60-4-928-4792; e-mail: uumpress@uum.edu.my; Web site: http://mjli.uum.edu.my/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: 21st Century Skills, Skill Development, Discussion Groups, Computer Mediated Communication, Active Learning, Student Projects, Business Communication, English for Special Purposes, Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, Instructional Effectiveness, Undergraduate Students, Positive Attitudes, Electronic Learning, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Malaysia
ISSN: 1675-8110
Abstract: Purpose: This study explored English for Specific Purpose (ESP) students' utilisation of an online discussion forum (ODF) via the university Learning Management System to assist them in executing their group project task of constructing a Company Profile. Methodology: A case study was employed, guided by Socio-Constructivism theory and the Partnership for 21st Century Learning framework. A total of 26 undergraduates participated voluntarily in the ODF. The group project was carried out virtually among group members in three online sessions. Prior to the project, students were briefed by the instructor, who posted questions to students via the portal in stages to carry out the discussion online. Besides the online postings, students wrote about the ODF experience in their reflective journals and took part in interviews. The data were qualitatively analysed. Findings: Students valued the learning experience and perceived the ODF as beneficial in facilitating English language learning as well as fostering 21st century skills. The positive impact on English language learning was realised in students' "linguistic attainment." Meanwhile, "flexibility trait," "reference for documentation," "confidence increase" and "attentiveness provision" were identified as factors that influenced the students' optimistic views on the use of the ODF. The students also saw the online environment as an inclusive venue for developing "critical thinking," "leadership," "discipline," "time management" and "digital skills." Significance: The study demonstrated the potential of ODF as a convenient and flexible platform that is able to promote linguistic improvement among students through discussions and knowledge sharing relative to the assigned group task. The non-threatening learning and the conducive atmosphere of their group discussion experience also supported active participation, giving passive students more opportunities to express their opinions confidently.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2021
Accession Number: EJ1290229
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Fostering 21st Century Skills Using an Online Discussion Forum in an English for Specific Purpose Course
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jamali%2C+Mazura%22">Jamali, Mazura</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Krish%2C+Pramela%22">Krish, Pramela</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Malaysian+Journal+of+Learning+and+Instruction%22"><i>Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction</i></searchLink>. Jan 2021 18(1):219-240.
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  Data: Universiti Utara Malaysia Press. UUM Press, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 08010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. Tel: +60-4-928-4816; Fax: +60-4-928-4792; e-mail: uumpress@uum.edu.my; Web site: http://mjli.uum.edu.my/
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  Data: 22
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%2221st+Century+Skills%22">21st Century Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Discussion+Groups%22">Discussion Groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Mediated+Communication%22">Computer Mediated Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Active+Learning%22">Active Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Projects%22">Student Projects</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Business+Communication%22">Business Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+for+Special+Purposes%22">English for Special Purposes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Effectiveness%22">Instructional Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Positive+Attitudes%22">Positive Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electronic+Learning%22">Electronic Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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– Name: ISSN
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  Data: 1675-8110
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: This study explored English for Specific Purpose (ESP) students' utilisation of an online discussion forum (ODF) via the university Learning Management System to assist them in executing their group project task of constructing a Company Profile. Methodology: A case study was employed, guided by Socio-Constructivism theory and the Partnership for 21st Century Learning framework. A total of 26 undergraduates participated voluntarily in the ODF. The group project was carried out virtually among group members in three online sessions. Prior to the project, students were briefed by the instructor, who posted questions to students via the portal in stages to carry out the discussion online. Besides the online postings, students wrote about the ODF experience in their reflective journals and took part in interviews. The data were qualitatively analysed. Findings: Students valued the learning experience and perceived the ODF as beneficial in facilitating English language learning as well as fostering 21st century skills. The positive impact on English language learning was realised in students' "linguistic attainment." Meanwhile, "flexibility trait," "reference for documentation," "confidence increase" and "attentiveness provision" were identified as factors that influenced the students' optimistic views on the use of the ODF. The students also saw the online environment as an inclusive venue for developing "critical thinking," "leadership," "discipline," "time management" and "digital skills." Significance: The study demonstrated the potential of ODF as a convenient and flexible platform that is able to promote linguistic improvement among students through discussions and knowledge sharing relative to the assigned group task. The non-threatening learning and the conducive atmosphere of their group discussion experience also supported active participation, giving passive students more opportunities to express their opinions confidently.
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  Data: 2021
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  Data: EJ1290229
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 219
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: 21st Century Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Skill Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Discussion Groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Mediated Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Active Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Projects
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Business Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: English for Special Purposes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Effectiveness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Positive Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electronic Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Malaysia
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Fostering 21st Century Skills Using an Online Discussion Forum in an English for Specific Purpose Course
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            NameFull: Jamali, Mazura
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            NameFull: Krish, Pramela
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              Y: 2021
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