Arabic Learners' Perceptions of Google Docs-Mediated Small-Group Collaborative Writing

ABSTRACT

This study explored the perceptions of Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL) learners regarding the use of Google Docs for small group writing tasks in three AFL classes at two U.S. universities. Utilizing an exploratory single case study design, the research gathered survey data from twenty students to examine their experiences with technology-mediated collaborative writing. The findings suggest that students viewed Google Docs as a flexible and user-friendly tool that facilitated collaboration and enhanced their writing process. Students also had a positive perception of small group collaborative writing, which contributed to the improvement of their final written texts, provided them with opportunities to observe and learn from their group partners' writing styles, and enhanced their vocabulary and grammar knowledge. However, the study's small sample size and reliance on self-reported survey data limit the generalizability of the results and do not fully capture students' interactions during the writing process.