Reducing Cogntive Overload in Online Academic Writing: A Case Study

Abstract

One common denominator to academic writing no matter what level the writing piece is -is the also ability to write main ideas and support those main ideas. Another common denominator is the planning stage; all writers go through the planning stage. This composing process can be less difficult of writers use strategies when they compose. These strategies can be taught or scaffolded by the writing teachers. This study is therefore done to explore yet another way to teach academic writing online. Specifically, this study is done to explore how learners perceive the online composing process. This study is also done to explore approaches to reduce extraneous cognitive load and intrinsic cognitive load. In addition to that, this study also investigates if there is a relationship between composing process and cognitive load. 126 participants responded to a survey after undergoing a semester of academic writing with activities to reduce their cognitive load. Findings showed that learners were positive about the use of the activities to reduce their cognitive load. This study also revealed that there is also a moderate positive relationship between composing process and extraneous cognitive load. In addition to that, the findings also showed that there is also a moderate positive relationship between composing process and intrinsic cognitive load. Findings also bear interesting implications towards the teaching and learning of academic writing.

Exploring Writing Difficulties in the Composing Process: A Case Study of ESL Writing

“…The composing process is crucial in ensuring that the student's writing reflects their capabilities to be successful in their field because writing main ideas and supporting them are the staples of academic writing. Hence, Rahmat (2023) stated that the first stage of writing is the planning stage, as it involves the writer thinking about how he or she plans to respond to the title of the essay and how they plan to expand the main ideas. Therefore, the composing process, as referred to by Flower and Hayes (1981), encompasses the whole essay writing stage.…”

Exploring Reasons for Learning English and Burnout Among Pre-University Students

“…Several studies have focused on examining the factors of burnout among students (Kaharudin et al, 2023;Mohd Shazali et al, 2023;Xu et al, 2022;Zhong & Liu et al, 2022;Zolkapli et al, 2023). These studies mainly relate to motivation and demotivation factors in investigating the causes of burnout which simultaneously affect language achievement negatively (Kaharudin et al, 2023;Mohd Shazali et al, 2023;Xu et al, 2022;Zhong & Liu et al, 2022;Zolkapli et al, 2023). The implications of these findings showed that the development of students' burnout in particular may correlate with gender and students' stress and self-efficacy on learning the language.…”