Students’ Perceptions of the Use and Efficacy of Error Correction Symbols on Written Drafts: A Study at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences Ibra, Oman

Abstract

The present quantitative research study investigates students’ perceptions of the use and efficacy of error correction symbols on written drafts. The study is significant because it has pedagogical implications for teachers, students, and policymakers. It answers the pertinent research question “whether the use of error correction symbols on students’ written drafts is helpful for students in improving their writing accuracy or not”. A structured questionnaire was distributed to students (N=396) via Moodle LMS to collect data. Study participants were General Foundation Program students in the English Language Centre of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Ibra, Sultanate of Oman. The findings of this study suggest that the students found the use of error correction symbols on their written drafts practical, helpful, and effective in improving their writing accuracy. Nevertheless, a similar research study needs to be conducted in other higher educational institutions in Oman to sustain the policy directions.