The Internet as a Pedagogical Tool in the Writing Process: A Research-Based Approach

Abstract

This article examines how the Internet can be used to ease the process of writing by suggesting resources for the planning, writing and revising stages and how they can be used to carry out a writing task. One such resource is the Blackboard platform, which serves as a discussion tool and for teacher-to-student and student-to-student feedback. Based on sound L2 writing theories and ICTs, a pedagogical proposal for a writing task is proposed and explained that involves invention and organizing techniques; peer and teacher evaluation using the Blackboard platform; activities to practice argumentative skills, the five-paragraph essay and paragraph structure and evaluation sheets with criteria for correction on the Blackboard platform. This writing task can be of help to students and teachers alike: to students, in the task of writing an effective essay, and to teachers, in their role as lesson designers, information providers and classroom managers.