English abstract
This quasi experimental study aimed at investigating the effect of using Google Docs in EFL Omani college students' writing performance. It also aimed at exploring the students' perceptions of the use of the Google Docs in their EFL writing. * The sample of the study included (81) Level 3 Foundation Program students in Nizwa College of Technology in the academic year (2017-2018). The experimental group consisted of (39) students while the control group consisted of (42) students. During the intervention, students in the experimental group used Google Docs to write their essays collaboratively while the control group students followed the regular way used in the writing sessions. The research instruments included a writing performance test that was administered as pre and post- test and a students' perceptions questionnaire. Data analysis yielded the following findings: 1. There was a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups writing performance in favor of the experimental group. The experimental group outperformed the control group in task achievement, task organization, grammar and vocabulary. The students in the experimental group perceived using Google Docs in EFL writing as a very beneficial tool in improving their writing and collaboration skills. Also, the students reported that their lack of technology skill, lack of group work dynamics, their modest language abilities, technical problems, the time constraint and difficulty of some writing tasks were the challenges that they faced during the experiment. Moreover, the students in the experimental group provided valuable suggestions for improving the use of Google Docs in the writing course. These suggestions included more training on using the web tool, increasing the number of Google Docs writing classes, ensuring the availability of reliable internet connection and making more use of the Google Drive mobile application. In light of these findings, the researcher presented a number of recommendations for practice and for further research.
