The Effect of Social Networks on Iranian EFL Learners’ Writing Ability

The main purpose of this study was to find the effect of social networks on Iranian EFL learners' writing skills. In this research, the performance of participants in two social learning networks (Twiducate and Edmodo) was compared. It also tried to find out the learners' attitudes toward these social networks. To this aim, ۵۹ participants took part in a test of QPT. Then, seven students who were not at an intermediate level were removed. Then, ۵۲ participants who were at an intermediate level were considered based on convenient sampling in three groups: two experimental groups and one control group. To check the homogeneity, all groups received a test of writing with the same topic as the pre-test. Then the first experimental group worked with the Twiducate application, and the second experimental group, practiced using the Edmodo application. The treatment for each group lasted for ۱۰ sessions. In the final session, learners of three groups receive a writing test. Then, participants were assessed with a structured interview for their reactions toward using these applications. Finally, the collected data from proficiency tests, pre-tests, and post-tests were analyzed. It was found out that applications of social learning networks had significant effects on Iranian Intermediate English as a foreign language learners' writing skill. The finding also indicated that students and their teachers had positive attitudes toward the application of Edmodo and Twiducate social networks in the classroom. However, the Edmodo group outperformed the other groups.

کلیدواژه ها:

Social Applications ، Language Proficiency ، Twiducate ، Edmodo