Experimenting with english collaborative writing on google sites

Abstract

A considerable amount of research in recent years has shown the advantages of integrating Web 2.0 technologies with language teaching. Specifically, this paper will shed light on the positive effects of web-based collaborative writing on Google Sites based on a project carried out in four primary schools in Hong Kong, as revealed by the qualitative data samples of students' and teachers' comments and revisions, as well as the result of focus group interviews. Both students' and teachers' revisions and feedback not only endorse but also expand on the benefits of using Google Sites in the linguistic, discourse and motivational domains for students as suggested by previous research findings. Key observations based on the present study will also be highlighted to offer insights into ways of merging Web 2.0 technologies and language teaching in a second or foreign language context like that of Hong Kong.