Online Comic Creator for EFL Writing: An Effective Tool for Collaborative Learning

This study introduces a successful example of an L2 writing project that can appeal to unmotivated EFL learners. The author will show how a project-based activity using an online comic creator could stimulate the intellectual curiosity of learners and change their attitudes toward learning English and interacting with other students. Forty-four Japanese computer science majors participated in the study. Many of them had negative attitudes toward English and collaborative activities. They were asked to work on a group project through the course, and created Japanese/ English comics that contributes to the revitalization of a disaster-hit community. An online comic creator was the key tool in the project, and the participants elaborated unique language for each comic character and created comics as writing activities. The post-study survey indicated various positive effects of the project. The participants enjoyed using the comic creator and the collaborative activities with other students. It was found that the project with the comic creator was a fascinating experience for computer science majors, and positively changed their perspective toward group work and learning English.