Title: Head in the clouds – innovating classroom practice using online file sharing for collaboration and feedback
Abstract: Navigating the shift towards blended learning in Higher Education (HE) provides opportunities for enhancing language teaching in the classroom. This paper will present a Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) -based project which aims to create a more collaborative and interactive classroom using open access file sharing services which focuses on developing collaborative writing practices and enhancing feedback loops. Using a Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication (SCMC) approach to co-creating texts, students participated in a series of related in-class group writing tasks where feedback was recorded digitally. Both a survey and focus group were used to assess students’ experience and use of the texts and feedback created. Results revealed a positive response to the use of SCMC for collaborative writing stemming from easier text manipulation and greater discussion of both textual and linguistic features, which is crucial to collaborative writing.