Internet perceptions, online participation and language learning in Moodle forums: A case study on nursing students in Taiwan

This paper examined the interplay between learners' Internet perceptions and their online participation in an online writing exchange program for nursing students. 47 students in a junior medical college in middle Taiwan participated in an Online Culture Exchange Writing Program in Moodle platform on a voluntary basis. They were encouraged to post their writings and make responses to the writings of students from other countries via discussion forums in this online program. The number of their postings was considered as their online participation in the program. Questionnaires regarding students' perceptions, such as Internet self-efficacy and Internet attitude were completed before students had experienced the online program. Writing fluency tests before and after the program was also used to examine the students' writing progress in the online program. Responses gathered from the questionnaires and results from the data analysis indicated that students with more positive Internet attitudes tended to participate more in the online forum. However, students' higher Internet self-efficacy didn't necessarily translate into more online participation. It was finally noted that students with more participation were more likely to make progress in writing fluency. Therefore, the role of learners' Internet attitude, which is highly related to their online participation, in an effective web-based language learning program can be assured.