How can new technologies improve EFL students’ motivation and engagement in writing?
Abstract:
My compelling question is how new technologies can improve EFL students’ motivation and engagement in writing?
A topic, a piece of paper, a pen, a usual way a traditional writing class adopted to teach writing. However, in this rapidly changing world, the traditional approaches seems to be inadequate in writing instruction. Today, in 21st century, with the spread of new technologies, digital writing plays an increasingly important role in students’ learning. To help students be prepared to fit in this changing world, I suppose it is necessary to explore new strategies to improve students’ writing motivation, engagement and ability.
Before studying in NCSU, I was focused on teaching high school students English writing in a private English training school in China. I love this job and hope to continue when going back to China. Thus, I will mainly research on young adolescents in 9th -10th grade. Personally, I enjoy writing as a way to record life, to express feelings, and to keep me mindful. For the students, I also hope that they can benefit from writing. Based on my limited experience, writing in English is still challengeable for EFL learners. As an old saying goes “Interest is the best teacher”. Therefore, how to motivate and engage them in writing is worth being explored.
Connections between writing education and globalization
Actually, writing can be seen as a bridge to connect writers’ ideas, thoughts, and emotions with the world around them. In other words, writing can present how writers’ look at the world. Globalization can be viewed as an opportunity for students to access to abundant writing materials, tools, and diverse audience. Since all of us are involved in this globalized world, it is inevitable to touch different literature, knowledge, cultures, technologies, etc.. Therefore, it is necessary to build students’ awareness of being cosmopolitan which is valuable and essential for their further adventure in this world.
Supporting course projects
ECI 524 Theory and Research in Global Learning
This paper discussed how social media play roles in developing a student’s awareness of being cosmopolitan. The importance and necessity of developing a student’s awareness of being cosmopolitan is shown from this work.