Using And Interacting On An Online Narrative Writing Platform: An Exploratory Study
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Date
2013-10
Authors
Annamalai, A. Nagaletchimee
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
The advent and the continued development of the Internet has given birth to a plethora of
online writing apps, softwares and platforms that provide an opportunity for educators and
students alike to develop and enhance their writing skill online. The main aim of this
exploratory study is to investigate how the use of an online narrative writing platform as
defined in this study enhances students’ narrative writing. The study also investigates the
patterns of interactions in a collaborative learning environment and the participants’
experiences and reflections in the use of the online narrative writing platform. The study
explores the use of the online narrative writing platform in a specific setting of six students
and a teacher in a Chinese Secondary school in Penang. The data sources of this qualitative
exploratory study are written assignments, online interactions, interviews and reflections.
Qualitative data analysis procedures include stages of data preparation and organisation, data
reduction into themes through coding processes and final representation of findings. The
multiple sources of data enabled data triangulation process to be carried out. The findings
revealed that the students improved their narrative writing ability after engaging in the online
narrative writing platform. The patterns of interactions were analysed according to cognitive,
teaching and social presences. The social presence showed the teacher and the students were
constantly acknowledging and caring for one another. For teaching presence, the teacher
played a major role as the subject matter expert and in directing the students’ attention to
important aspects of the task. The cognitive presence, showed that students and teacher are
giving and receiving comments to contribute to thinking and learning. An additional presence
related to social presence was identified. This is termed as social learning presence.
Description
Keywords
Online Narrative Writing Platform , Exploratory Study