I WROTE, I WAS EVALUATED, AND I LEARNED AN ALTERNATIVE TEACHING PROCESS IN DISTANCE EDUCATION: WRITING-TO-LEARN

Abstract

Distance education has become an essential part of life on a global scale during the COVID-19 pandemic. This process has driven all education stakeholders, who focus on providing learning outcomes without any loss, to alternative teaching models. The aim of this study is to examine the extent of the effects of writing-to-learn activities integrated into the distance education process on learning. Conducted as an action research, this study consisted of 42 Year 4 undergraduate prospective teachers studying Social Studies Teaching. A variety of writing-to-learn activities and semi-structured interview forms were used as data collection tools. While writing-to-learn activities were evaluated with holistic rubric, the opinions of prospective teachers were analyzed by content analysis. As a result, it was concluded that writing-to-learn activities included in distance education made significant contributions to the development of students throughout the application process. The activities were found effective on learning since they involved students in the process and facilitated permanent learning. It is understood from the opinions of the prospective teachers that an enjoyable and quality learning can be achieved with such activities included in the study, even from a distance. Based on the results, it can be stated that the writing-to-learn model is an alternative learning approach that can be used in distance education.