Energizing Weblog to Facilitate Students’ Creativity and Behavior in Online Learning

Abstract

Integration is always an issue with new technology, and this one is no exception. Amid the pandemic, many education researchers are still questioning whether online learning environments help students become more creative and improve their writing skills. This study uses mixed research methods and aims to examine student engagement in writing using weblogs during COVID 19. Twenty-three online students at computer science faculty of universitas al Asyariah Mandar in Indonesia were treated using weblogs to identify those who were actively involved in their online learning experiences. Furthermore, the researcher uses several indicators to assess this writing, starting from grammar, critical thinking, content of writing, and argumentation. The aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of how EFL students in the higher education landscape view online learning through weblogs. Analysis of student feedback was carried out quantitatively. The findings of this study explain how EFL students view online learning as the main means of teaching and learning during this critical period. The results showed that by navigating new digital genres such as weblogs, students' engagement and creativity were demonstrated in their behavior during writing. Teaching writing using the internet, which has been shown to have a positive impact on writing, has taken a new direction. Weblogs are used to teach writing, which helps students improve their writing skills, behaviour and creativity.