Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the online course tools, specifically discussion boards, blogs and wikis, the built-in facilities of Blackboard as computer-mediated communication integrated in e-learning environments on improving integrated reading and writing and on the attitudes of EFL college students towards literacy skills in e-learning environments. A pedagogical model was designed and described in a background of relevant research. The study made use of both quantitative and qualitative data to investigate the effects of these tools on both reading/writing performance and on attitudes. The findings indicated that the students’ performance on an integrated reading/writing test was improved and so were their attitudes towards literacy skills. The findings also showed that the e-course tools at issue facilitated students’ interactions and supported learning of the reading/writing skills in a growing online discourse community. The paper ends with a conclusion and discussion of pedagogical implications and recommendations for prospective research.

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