The Effects of Dynamic Written Corrective Feedback on EFL University Students’ Writing Accuracy: A Complex Dynamic Systems Theory Perspective

Authors

Attila M. Wind, Eötvös Loránd UniversityFollow

Keywords

dynamic written corrective feedback, linguistics accuracy, time-series analysis

Abstract

The positive effects of dynamic written corrective feedback (DWCF) on linguistic accuracy are well-documented (Evans et al., 2010). However, studies on DWCF without exception have adopted a pretest-posttest research design; therefore, they were unable to explore the dynamics of development (Larsen-Freeman, 2006). In addition, all of the previous DWCF studies exclusively provided indirect feedback to students. Consequently, our knowledge is limited as to whether a modified version (providing direct feedback) of DWCF would be effective. To address this issue, in this study 24 university undergraduate students composed a total of 288 essays and received modified DWCF (direct feedback) on a weekly basis in two advanced writing courses over 12 weeks. The essays were analysed by applying both pretest-posttest and time-series analyses. Statistically significant differences were found in the linguistic accuracy indices (errors per words, errors-free clause ratio) in the student’s data between the pretest and posttest. The time-series analysis showed dynamics of the development of linguistic accuracy. This study showed that a modified version of DWCF is also effective and provides deeper insight into the dynamic processes of linguistic accuracy development.

Recommended Citation

Wind, Attila M. (2024) "The Effects of Dynamic Written Corrective Feedback on EFL University Students’ Writing Accuracy: A Complex Dynamic Systems Theory Perspective," Journal of Response to Writing: Vol. 10: Iss. 2, Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/journalrw/vol10/iss2/1