Development of a writing instructional model by using cognitive process theory of writing cooperating with cognitive and metacognitive strategies to enhance lower secondary school students research writing ability
Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to 1) develop an instructional model using cognitive process theory of writing cooperating with cognitive and metacognitive strategies to enhance lower secondary students research paper writing ability, 2) evaluate the effectiveness of the developed instructional model by comparing research writing ability in students who were instructed by the developed model to those students who were instructed by a regular instructional method. This research and development study observed a total number of 70 students who currently enrolled in grade 8 of the Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Secondary School. Samples were divided into 2 groups: experimental and control groups with the number of subjects of 36 and 34 students, respectively. Both groups of samples were continuously instructed for 19 times of a 50-minute learning period. Quantitative data were collected using 2 assessment tools namely; a research writing process inventory and a research paper evaluation inventory. Meanwhile, qualitative data were collected using a combination of a behavioral observation form on writing research paper and a student interview form. Data were statistically analyzed for the average and standard deviation values. The significant difference in research paper writing ability in both groups of samples was analyzed using t-test. Key research results can be summarized as follow. 1. An instructional model was successfully developed according to the cognitive process theory of writing and the cognitive and metacognitive strategies. The developed model consists of 4 main elements comprising 1.1) 5 principles of the developed model including 1.1.1) arrangement of factors influencing a research writing, 1.1.2) data preparation for a long term memory, 1.1.3) enhancement of cognitive capabilities and activities using cognitive strategies, 1.1.4) role model of cognitive capabilities and activities on research writing, and 1.1.5) controlling and evaluation of cognitive capabilities and activities, 1.2) objective of the developed model was to enhance students research writing ability, 1.3) 4 steps of the developed instructional model including 1.3.1) motivating and employing strategies to prepare for research paper writing, 1.3.2) employing strategies to help create an outline, 1.3.3) drafting, elaborating, and reviewing ideas, 1.3.4) reviewing and reflecting writing process, and 1.4) evaluation of the instructional model using the levels of research writing ability which were obtained from the research paper evaluation inventory. 2. Regarding the effectiveness of the developed instructional model, it was found that the average capability and ability levels of all writing criteria in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group with a confidence level of 95% (p=0.05). Six writing criteria used in this study were including presentation of content of writing, organization and management of the idea, review and searching for the related and supported data, organization of the sentences and paragraphs for writing, word choice and language register, and management of the mechanics and formats of writing