Automated Content Feedback and Young English Learners’ Behaviours, Performances and Response

Abstract

The aims of this paper are threefold. First, it describes the design of the enhanced version of the Essay Critiquing System (ECS2.0) for English writing, drawing on second language acquisition theories. Then it reports and compares the writing behaviours, responses to the system feedback and performances of 89 Secondary 3 and 4 students aged 13-16, representing high, mid and low English proficiency levels of three secondary schools in Hong Kong, after using the system in five workshops. With reference to the Paired Samples Test results, the three groups of students demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p<.05) in the timing of seeking their initial feedback from the system, and improvement in content score over the period of the study. The recorded verbal protocols of 12 students revealed the ways they incorporated the system feedback into their writings and revisions. Finally, students highly rated the usefulness of the system, and valued the frequent and comprehensible writing feedback. The quantitative and qualitative data and students’ responses provided useful learning-related information for teachers and schools to understand students’ learning process and progress, and could help them make informed pedagogical decisions to optimize opportunities for computer-supported English writing and learning in their contexts.

Speaker

About the Speaker

Cynthia Lee is Associate Professor in the Centre for Applied English Studies, the University of Hong Kong. Her main research interests are in the areas of English language teaching and learning, discourse and pragmatics in the educational context, and computer-assisted writing, with particular reference to the learning of English by Chinese learners in schools and universities. Her research outputs have appeared in numerous SSCI-indexed journals, refereed book chapters and proceedings. This paper is an outcome of a research project funded by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) in 2016-2017.

Date

13 December, 2017

Time

12:30 - 2:00pm

Location

Rm 203, Runme Shaw Building

Chair

Dr. Yuen Yi Lo