Training in the Learning Strategies of Writing: Its Effects on Students' Writing Skills

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Date

2013-06

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This research was mainly an experimental study intended to examll1e if: (a) there is a statisticall y significant difference between students who received training on the learning strategies of writing and those who did not receive training on the learning strategies of writing with regard to their writing skills, (b) training in the learning strategies of writing significantly improves students' use of the strategies, (c) there is a statisticall y significant difference between students who received training on the learn ing strategies of writing and those who did not receive training on the learning strategies of writing with regard to improv ing their belief about tak ing on more responsib ility for their own learning of writing, and (d) students have positive or negative attitudes towards practicing writing tasks through receiving training on the learning strategies of writing. To this end, the selected Freshman Program students of Hawassa University were randomly assigned to the experimental (41 students) and the control (41 students) groups. Students in the experimental group were taught lessons of the' Basic Writing Skills' course with training in the learning strategies of writing, whereas those in the control group were taught the lessons without training in the learning strategies of writing. Data were collected through tests, questi onnaires and interviews. Mixed-methods approach was employed for the study, which is mainly quantitative, but also used qualitative techniques for triangulation purposes. Independent-Samples T Test whi ch was computed for the pre-test revealed that students who were ass igned to the experimental and the control groups had similar writing performance with regard to including relevant contents, organizing contents appropriately, using accurate grammar, appropriate vocabulary and correct mechanics, and overall writing performance (t-values :::; 1.56, p-values ;::: .1 22); however, the IndependenlSamples T Test computed for the post-test demonstrated that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group in their writing performance on each of the writing aspects and the overall writing performance (t-values ;::: 2.50, p-values ::::,0 14). Moreover, the Paired-Samples T Test result demonstrated that students in the experimental group significantly improved their performance on each of the writing aspects and the overall writing performance than those in the control group (t-values ;:::-11.48, p-values=.OOO). J The Paired-Samples T Test result indicated that training in the learning strategies of writing signifi cantly improved students' use of the strategies (t-values ~-7. 57, p-values ~ .OOO). Independent-Samples T Test which was computed before the experiment demonstrated that the experimental and the control groups had similar belief about taki ng on more responsibility for their own learning of writing (t-value =.453, p-value = .652); however, the IndependentSamples T Test whi ch was conducted after the experiment showed that students in the experimental group significantly outperformed students in the control group to improve their belief about taking on more responsibility for their own learning of writing (t-value = -4.26, p-value = .000). Statistical analysis conducted showed that students in the experimental group had a pos itive attitude towards practicing the writing tasks through rece iving training on the learn ing strategies of writing. Results of the interviews confgrmed with results of the questionnaires. Based on the findings, recommendations have been made that writing tasks/activities should be introduced in the context of training in the learning strategies of writin g; as a result, students could improve their writing skills by using the strategies and taking on more responsibility for their own learning of writing. Moreover, studies on other issues of the training have been recommended.

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Its Effects on Students' Writing Skills

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