Application of online annotations to develop a web-based Error Correction Practice System for English writing instruction

Error correction and peer feedback have been recognized as vital in second language writing development. This study developed a web-based error correction practice mechanism which was attached to an online annotation system for EFL writing instruction. In this system, students input new essays with the Essay Editor and the teacher marked students' errors with the Annotation Editor. Students could read the corrected essay and the results of error analysis through the Viewer. Based on the results of error analysis through the Error Correction Practice Recommender, the system recommended an essay to the student to practice error correction and to implement peer feedback. Following the peer feedback exercise, the student could compare his/her corrections with the teacher's corrections on the same essay through the Viewer. A pretest–posttest study was also conducted to evaluate the effects of using the system on 35 EFL students' writing performance and peer feedback performance. The experiment consisted of four rounds of writing and peer feedback practice. The results of students' writing error ratios and error correction ratios showed that the system was effective in improving students' written accuracy and error correction performance in the peer feedback process. A range of recommendations for future research are discussed.