Improving writing through collaboration facilitated by Google Docs

Abstract

Collaborative work through the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has changed educational settings by transforming old-style educational methods into technology-based teaching and learning practices. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of collaboration by applying technology to enhance students’ writing performance. This action research was based on surveys and interviews as methods of data collection and it was conducted on twenty-one EFL students from a public high school in Ecuador. The results indicate that collaboration has a positive impact on students’ writing skills and increased their motivation to work on writing texts. Finally, this study applies to English as a Foreign Language teachers who work in secondary education in private and public institutions as well as for teachers who love integrating new tech-tools in their pedagogical practices.