Students’ Perception Toward The Use Of Google Document For Online Collaborative Writing In English Education At Universitas Ahmad Dahlan

Abstract

Google Documents is very important as an online collaborative writing tool. Collaborative writing is one of the methods used in writing learning practice. Studies on collaborative writing have shown that online collaborative writing effectively improves student writing quality. Therefore, this study explores students' perceptions of using Google Documents for online collaborative writing. Moreover, this study also determines the benefits and challenges of using Google Documents for online collaborative writing.

This study used mixed methods research designs. The questionnaire collected quantitative data consisting of 20 closed-ended questions. Semi-structured interviews involving six students out of twenty-five were used to collect qualitative data. This study was conducted in English Education Study Program at Ahmad Dahlan University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The participants are 25 students in the third-semester classes B and C.

This study's results show students' positive perception of online collaborative writing through Google Documents. It indicates that using Google Documents in online collaborative writing allows them to share ideas and comments easily (Mean=3,36). The benefits of using Google Documents for online collaborative writing helped them to pay attention to proper punctuation, vocabulary, and grammar (Mean=3,44). Furthermore, online collaborative writing improves their writing skills (Mean=3,08). The challenge of using Google Documents for online collaborative writing is an unstable internet connection, which makes it difficult to do online collaborative writing through Google Docs (Mean=3,2). In addition, the lack of technology adaptation makes using features in Google Documents difficult.