Collaborative Writing Strategy: CollaboWrite with MindMeister

Abstract

Malaysian Ministry of Education emphasized on the integration of ICT tools and collaborative learning to enrich the teaching and learning of English language among the English as Second Language (ESL) learners. Among the skills that requires enriching is the writing skill as it is the most challenging language skills which often caused low motivational and proficiency in ESL. Hence, this study introduces a collaborative writing strategy, “CollaboWrite” with the online mind-mapping tool, “MindMeister”. In a form of a mixed-method research, this study aimed to gauge the effectiveness of CollaboWrite with MindMeister in developing learners’ writing skills in terms of their expression of ideas, collaboration and motivational level. Questionnaires and observation checklists were utilised to collect the data from forty learners of three different schools. This research had unveiled the potential use of CollaboWrite with Mindmeister to facilitate learners’ active collaboration in writing and increase their motivation level both in the classroom and through online connection.