Impact of Online Peer Assessment via Wiki on Grammar Accuracy of EFL Learners: A Mixed Methods Investigation
Subject Areas : English Language Teaching
Hoora Badsar
1
,
Seyed Ali Asqar Soltani
2
*
1 - Department of English Language, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
2 - Baqir Al-Olum University, Qom, Iran
Keywords: accuracy, grammar, language assessment, online peer assessment, Wiki, writing ,
Abstract :
With the emergence of new online technologies and computer-mediated language teaching, many recent studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of online peer assessment. The present mixed methods study examined the effect of online peer assessment on Iranian intermediate-level EFL students` writing accuracy. In the quantitative phase of the study, 28 EFL learners studying in an English institute were randomly assigned to two groups and were taught for 14 sessions. The experimental group attended online peer assessment on Wiki as a forum for out-of-classroom discussions regarding English writing, and the control group attended face-to-face peer assessment. To analyze the numerical data collected through a pretest and a posttest, an independent sample t-test was used to investigate the difference between the two group scores before and after the assessments. The results showed that the difference between the posttest means of the experimental group and the control group was significant. Moreover, the results of analyzing the qualitative data, gathered through focus-group interviews, also confirmed the quantitative results, revealing the positive opinions of the interviewees about the role of technology in language learning. Therefore, online peer assessment seems to have benefits that make it worthwhile despite all the difficulties and extra effort of introducing and teaching it to students. The findings may have implications for material designers, language teachers, and language learners.
Alexander, B. (2006). Web 2.0: A new wave of innovation for teaching and learning. Educause Review, 41(2) 33-40. http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERM0621.pdf
Ahmadi, S.D., & Marandi, S.S. (2014). Social software in the classroom: The case of wikis for scaffolding [Paper presentation]. International Conference on Current Trends in ELT: Putting the Learner in the Spotlight, Urmia, Iran.
An, X. (2010). User-controllable color transfer. Computer Ggraphics Forum, 29(2), 263-271. doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8659.2009.01595.x
Beaumont, C., O’Doherty, M.O., & Shannon, L. (2008). Reconceptualizing assessment [Paper presentation]. Pedagogical Research in Higher Education Conference, Liverpool, the UK.
Ben-Zvi, D. (2007). Using wiki to promote collaborative learning in statistics education. Technology Innovations in Statistics Education, 1(1). https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6jv107c7
Bonk, C. J., Lee, M. M., Kim, N., & Lin, M. G. (2009). The tensions of transformation in three cross institutional wiki book projects. Internet and Higher Education, 12, 126-135. doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2009.04.002
Boulos, M.N.K., Maramba, I., & Wheeler, S. (2006). Wikis, blogs and podcasts: A new generation of Web based tools for virtual collaborative clinical practice and education, BMC Medical Education, 6(41). http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6920-6-41.pdf
Bragg, A.B. (2007). Reflections on pedagogy: Reframing practice to foster informal learning with social software. http://matchsz.inf.elte.hu/TT/docs/Anne20Bartlett- Bragg.pdf
Brown, H.D., Brown, H., & Abeywickrama, P. (2018). Language assessment: Principles and classroom practices. Pearson.
Butler, S.A., & Hodge, S.R. (2001). Enhancing student trust through peer assessment in physical education, Physical Educator, 58, 30–41.
Chan, C.K.K., & van Aalst, J. (2004). Learning, assessment and collaboration in computersupported environments. In P. Dillenbourg, J. W. Strijbos, P. A. Kirschner & R. L. Martens (Eds.), Computer-supported collaborative learning (Vol. 3, pp. 87-112). Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Chao, Y., & Lo, H. (2009). Students’ perceptions of Wiki-based collaborative writing for learners of English as a foreign language. Interactive Learning Environments, 19, 395–411. doi:10.1080/10494820903298662.
Cheng, W., & Warren, M. (2000) Making a difference: Using peers to assess individual students' contributions to a group project, Teaching in Higher Education, 5(2), 243-255, doi:10.1080/135625100114885
Coutinho, C.P., & Bottentuit, J.B.Jr. (2007). Collaborative learning using wiki: A pilot study with master students in educational technology in Portugal [Paper presentation]. World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (ED-MEDIA), Vancouver, Canada.
Davies, P. (2000). Computerized peer assessment. Innovations in Education and Training International, 37(4), 346-355. doi:10.1080/135580000750052955
Deters, F., Cuthrell, K., & Stapleton, J. (2010). Why wikis? Student perceptions of using wikis in online coursework. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 6(1), 122-134.
Diaz-Negrillo, A. (2009). EARS: A user's manual. LINCOM Academic Reference Books.
Dillenbourg, P. (1999). What do you mean by collaborative learning? In P. Dillenbourg (Ed.), Collaborative-learning: Cognitive and computational Approaches (pp.1-16). Elsevier.
Double, K., McGrane, J. A., & Hopfenbeck, T. N. (2020). The impact of peer assessment on academic performance: A metaanalysis of control group studies. Educational Psychology Review, 32, 481–509. doi:10.1007/s10648-019-09510-3
Dörnyei, Z. (2007). Research methods in applied linguistics: Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodologies. Oxford University Press.
Educause Learning Initiative. (2005). 7 things you should know about wikis. http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7004.pdf
Elgort, I., Smith, A. G., & Toland, J. (2008). Is wiki an effective platform for group course work? Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 24(2), 195-210.
Engstrom, M. E., & Jewett, D. (2005). Collaborative learning the wiki way. TechTrends, 49(6), 12–15. doi:10.1007/BF02763725
Falchikov, N. (1995). Peer feedback marking: Developing peer assessment’, Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 32, 175–187. doi:10.2304/plat.2003.3.2.1
Gielen, M., & De Wever, B. (2012). Peer assessment in a wiki: Product improvement, students’ learning and perception regarding peer feedback. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 69, 585 – 594.
Harris, S., & Zeng, X. (2008). Using wiki in an online record documentation systems course. Perspectives in Health Information Management 5(1), http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2242345
Kessler, G., & Bikowski, D. (2010). Developing collaborative autonomous learning abilities in computer mediated language learning: Attention to meaning among students in wiki space. Computer-Assisted Language Learning, 23(1), 41-58. doi:10.1080/09588220903467335
Lamb, B. (2004). Wide open spaces: Wikis, ready or not. EDUCAUSE Review, 39(5), 36-48.
LeMare, L.J., & Rubin, K.H. (1987). Perspective taking and peer interaction: Structural and developmental analysis. Child Development, 58, 306–315. doi:10.2307/1130508
Leuf, B., & Cunningham, W. (2001). The wiki way: Quick collaboration on the Web. Addison Wesley.
Li, J., & Cumming, A. (2001). Word processing and second language writing: A longitudinal case study. International Journal of English studies, 1(2), 127–152.
Li, M. (2012). Use of wikis in second/foreign language classes: A literature review. CALL-EJ, 13, 17–35.
Lin, W. C., & Yang, S. C. (2011). Exploring students’ perceptions of integrating Wiki technology and peer feedback into English writing courses. English Teaching: Practice and Critique, 10, 88-103.
Liu, P.-L., Ginting, A. M. G., Chen, C.-J., & Yeh, H.-C. (2022). Students’ performance and perceptions of Wiki-based collaborative writing for learners of English as a foreign language. Sage Open, 12(4). doi:10.1177/21582440221144953
Lund, A. (2008). Wikis: A collective approach to language production. ReCALL Journal, 20(1), 35–54. doi:10.1017/S0958344008000414
Macdonald, J. (2002). Assessing online collaborative learning: Process and product. Computers and Education, 40, 377-391. doi:10.1016/S0360-1315(02)00168-9
Matthew, K. I., & Callaway, R. A. (2009). Wiki as a collaborative learning tool in a language arts methods class. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42, 51–72. doi:10.1080/15391523.2009
McConnell, D. (2002). The experience of collaborative assessment in E-learning, Studies in Continuing Education, 24, 73–102.
O’Shea, P.M., Baker, P.B., Allen, D.W., Curry-Corcoran, D.E., & Allen, D.B. (2006). New levels of student participatory learning: A Wiki Text for the Introductory Course in Education. Journal of Interactive Online Learning, 6(3), 227-244.
Owen, M., Grant, L., Sayers, S., & Facer, K. (2006). Opening education: Social software and learning. Futurelab. http://www.futurelab.org.uk/research
Parker, K., & J. Chao. (2007). Wiki as a teaching tool. Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge and Learning Objects, 3, 57–72. doi:10.28945/3131
Prins, F. J., Sluijsmans, D. M. A, Kirschner, P. A., & Strijbos, J. W. (2005). Formative peer assessment in a CSCL environment: A case study. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 30, 417- 444.
Sadler, D. R. (1998). Formative assessment: Revisiting the territory, Assessment in Education, 5(1), 77–84.
Schunemann, N., Sporer, N., Vollinger, V. A., & Brunstein, J. C. (2017). Peer feedback mediates the impact of self-regulation procedures on strategy use and reading comprehension in reciprocal teaching groups. Instructional Science, 45(4), 395–415. doi:10.1007/s11251-017-9409-1
Scouller, K. (1998). The influence of assessment method on students’ learning approaches: Multiple choice question examination versus assignment essay, Higher Education, 35, 453–472. doi:10.1023/A:1003196224280
Soars, J., & Soars, L. (2014). American headway three: Student edition (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Strijbos, J. W., & Sluijsmans, D. (2010). Unravelling peer assessment: Methodological, functional, and conceptual developments. Learning and Instruction, 20(4), 265-269.
Sula, G., Haxhihyseeni, S., & Noti, K. (2021). Wikis as a tool for co-constructed learning in higher education – An exploratory study in an Albanian higher education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 16(24), 191-204. doi:10.3991/ijet.v16i24.26541
Swain, M., & Lapkin, S. (1998). Interaction and second language learning: Two adolescent French immersion students working together. Modern Language Journal, 82(3), 320–337.
Topping, K. (1998), Peer assessment between students in colleges and universities, American Educational Research Association, 68(3), 249-276. doi:0.3102/00346543068003249
Topping, K. (2003). Self and peer assessment in school and university: Reliability, validity and utility. In M. Segers, F. Dochy, & E. Cascallar (Eds.), Optimising new modes of assessment: In search of qualities and standards (pp. 55–87). Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Topping, K.J., Smith, E.F., Swanson, I., & Elliot, A. (2000). Formative peer assessment of academic writing between postgraduate students. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 25(2), 149-166. doi:10.1080/713611428
Vassell, C., Amin, N., & Winch, S. (2008). Evaluating the use of wikis in student group work with BlackBoard VLE [Paper presentation]. Proceedings of 9th Annual conference of the Higher Education Academy Information and Computer Sciences Conference, Liverpool, the UK.
Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in society. Harvard University Press.
Warschauer, M. (1996). Comparing face-to-face and electronic communication in the second language classroom. CALICO Journal, 13, 7-26. doi:10.1558/cj.v13i2-3.7-26
Yarrow, F., & Topping, K. J. (2001). Collaborative writing: The effects of metacognitive prompting and structured peer interaction. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 71, 261–282. doi:10.1348/000709901158514
Zamora, A., Suarez, J. M., & Ardura, D. (2018). Error detection and self-assessment as mechanisms to promote self-regulation of learning among secondary education students. The Journal of Educational Research, 111(2), 175–185.
doi:10.1080/00220671.2016.1225657