Schedule: 2009-09-11 (12:45 - 13:30)
Parallel Session 1 (Room A-30)

Title: The Use of Wikis in the Development of Effective Academic Writing Skills
Authors: Maria Kuteeva
Abstract: This paper draws on the experience of using wikis as a tool for developing academic writing skills on a face-to-face course of Effective Communication in English at Stockholm University. The overarching aim of the course is to improve the students’ ability to employ English for academic and professional purposes, covering a range of written and spoken genres. In terms of linguistic, cultural, social, and educational backgrounds, the course participants comprise a very diverse group. This fact presents both challenges and opportunities in the development of collaborative tasks.

Wikis provide a good platform for carrying out writing activities, which combine individual language production with collaborative learning (e.g. Lund, 2006 and 2008). The Eff Comm wiki provided a venue for some writing tasks and assignments focusing on three major aspects: paragraph structure, coherence, and argumentation. The structure of the wiki was defined by the course instructor, but students participated in the choice of topics related to both professional and academic contexts. The texts posted by students on an individual basis were also analysed and discussed in class, thereby fostering peer review and collaboration.

Good academic and professional writing in English is often measured by how reader-oriented a given text is. Due to the linguistic and cultural heterogeneity of the Eff Comm students, the notion of clarity and conciseness in formal English discourse can be a novelty and a challenge for the learners. In this context, using the wiki proved useful for extending the readership of the students’ texts and for encouraging constructive peer feedback and revision.

The main question addressed in this paper is whether writing on the wiki helps students to make their writing more reader-oriented in terms of content and accuracy. The study carried out with a group of Eff Comm students is based on participant observation, content and questionnaire analyses. Various technical, pedagogical and linguistic aspects of the students’ use of the wiki are discussed, including easiness of use, publishing online, and providing feedback. In addition, the role played by culture and personality is considered.
Keywords: wikis, academic writing, collaboration, ESP, EAP

Main topic: Curriculum development for CALL.

Biodata: Dr Maria Kuteeva is Senior Lecturer in the Department of English, Stockholm University. She is affiliated with the Centre for Academic English and teaches a range of EAP and ESP courses. Her research in CALL focuses on online task design and pedagogical aspects of collaborative learning supported by Web 2.0 tools.
Type of presentation Paper presentation

Paper category Research & Development

Target educational sector Higher education

Language of delivery English

EU-funded project No

Schedule:	2009-09-11 (12:45 - 13:30) Parallel Session 1 (Room A-30)
Title:	The Use of Wikis in the Development of Effective Academic Writing Skills
Authors:	Maria Kuteeva
Abstract:	This paper draws on the experience of using wikis as a tool for developing academic writing skills on a face-to-face course of Effective Communication in English at Stockholm University. The overarching aim of the course is to improve the students’ ability to employ English for academic and professional purposes, covering a range of written and spoken genres. In terms of linguistic, cultural, social, and educational backgrounds, the course participants comprise a very diverse group. This fact presents both challenges and opportunities in the development of collaborative tasks. Wikis provide a good platform for carrying out writing activities, which combine individual language production with collaborative learning (e.g. Lund, 2006 and 2008). The Eff Comm wiki provided a venue for some writing tasks and assignments focusing on three major aspects: paragraph structure, coherence, and argumentation. The structure of the wiki was defined by the course instructor, but students participated in the choice of topics related to both professional and academic contexts. The texts posted by students on an individual basis were also analysed and discussed in class, thereby fostering peer review and collaboration. Good academic and professional writing in English is often measured by how reader-oriented a given text is. Due to the linguistic and cultural heterogeneity of the Eff Comm students, the notion of clarity and conciseness in formal English discourse can be a novelty and a challenge for the learners. In this context, using the wiki proved useful for extending the readership of the students’ texts and for encouraging constructive peer feedback and revision. The main question addressed in this paper is whether writing on the wiki helps students to make their writing more reader-oriented in terms of content and accuracy. The study carried out with a group of Eff Comm students is based on participant observation, content and questionnaire analyses. Various technical, pedagogical and linguistic aspects of the students’ use of the wiki are discussed, including easiness of use, publishing online, and providing feedback. In addition, the role played by culture and personality is considered.
Keywords:	wikis, academic writing, collaboration, ESP, EAP
Main topic:	Curriculum development for CALL.
Biodata:	Dr Maria Kuteeva is Senior Lecturer in the Department of English, Stockholm University. She is affiliated with the Centre for Academic English and teaches a range of EAP and ESP courses. Her research in CALL focuses on online task design and pedagogical aspects of collaborative learning supported by Web 2.0 tools.
Type of presentation	Paper presentation
Paper category	Research & Development
Target educational sector	Higher education
Language of delivery	English
EU-funded project	No