The effects of collaborative e-learning environment peer feedback and argumentation instruction on educational sciences’ argumentative writing and argumentative feedback quality

This study investigates the effects of collaborative e-learning environment supported by peer feedback and argumentative instruction on students’ argumentative writing, argumentative feedback and domain-specific knowledge acquisition in the field of educational sciences. The population of the study was all bachelor students of educational sciences at Kharazmi University in Karaj in which 36 students were randomly selected as a sample and were assigned to either experimental (with instruction) or control group (without instruction) in a pre- and posttest design. They were then divided over 18 dyads and were asked to write and argumentative essay, engage in argumentative peer feedback with their learning partner, and then revise their essay based on feedback they received. To do so, a collaborative e-learning environment was designed and developed. A coding scheme was developed based on research literature to measure both argumentative essay and argumentative peer feedback quality. The results favoured students in the experimental condition in terms of their argumentative essay writing, argumentative peer feedback quality, and the acquisition of domain-specific knowledge. Implications, limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.