Technology-Enhanced Language Learning and Teaching

Collaborative Writing Tools

Collaboration ability is a basic requirement of society nowadays. Scholars suggested the following tools to enhance collaborative writing: wiki, Google Docs, blogs and web-based word processing. These tools are very popular and are used to practice writing and speaking skills. Language learners can log on to collaborative writing tools to edit the same text, and the system will record the trace of each user. Participants in collaborative writing can edit documents at either the same or different time, face-to-face or remotely.

Collaborative writing tools provide useful features, including writing anywhere and viewing or reverting to previous versions of a text, as well as tracking the process of collaboration. Teachers can use collaborative writing tools to help students develop their writing and speaking skills. These tools can provide multiple functions such as sharing materials, communication, editing and collaborating on content.