This study was to examine how the persuasive article writing training based on blended learning affects writing ability and attitudes of students with writing disabilities. To this end, we administered experiments on 13 six-grade students with writing disabilities at K elementary school located in Seoul. As a preliminary step prior to experiments, training on typing and how to use online BBS’s was provided, along with a basic persuasive article writing training conducted for eight sessions. Pre- and post-test through writing ability test and writing attitude test were conducted. The collected data were analyzed through a t-test of two dependent (corresponding) samples using the SPSS program.
The results from this study were as follows:
First, the study revealed the persuasive article writing training based on blended learning contributed to the better scores in the area of content, structure, and expression of writing as subcategories of writing ability in the post-test, compared to the pre-test. Second, the persuasive article writing training based on blended learning was found to improve pre-test results in the area of recognition, reaction, and attitude as subcategories of writing attitude in the post-test, in comparison with those of the pre-test.
These results indicate that the persuasive article writing training based on blended learning is effective in improving writing ability and attitude of students with learning disabilities. Directions for future research were suggested.
Key words : blended learning, writing instruction, writing disabilities, persuasive article writing training