The Impact of Wikis and Discussion Boards on Learning English as a Second Language. A Mixed Methods Research

Abstract

In the field of teaching a second language (L2), technology has always occupied a relevant position. The development of new technological tools has allowed the convergence of two learning environments, traditional face-to-face learning and virtual learning. This convergence has fostered the advantages of both types of instructions and the possibilities to learn a L2. In this study, researchers tried to explore pre-service teachers’ perspectives towards the use of wikis and discussion boards to improve writing skills in English and promote autonomous and collaborative learning in a B-learning environment. 358 pre-service teachers participated in the study in which a mixed methods research approach was adopted to integrate results and have a broader vision of the phenomenon. The results suggested pre-service teachers’ positive perception of the e-activities developed to improve the quality of their English, feeling more confidence in that language. They highlighted the opportunities afforded by wikis to create collective texts based on their agreements and individual contributions that promoted individual and cooperative learning, and by discussion boards to communicate, solve problems, get consensus or support a dynamic process. The fact of using a mixed methods research approach enhanced the validity and reliability of data, and added rigor to the study.