Online communication and collaboration via digital discussion forums: Impacts on 21st century skills and english language learning
The use of Digital Discussion Forums (DDFs) has not been researched sufficiently in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses to enhance communication and collaboration skills. Therefore, this paper explores the impact of DDFs usage on these skills through digital discussions among undergraduates....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
2025
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| Online Access: | https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45286/ |
| _version_ | 1848827375110848512 |
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| author | Mazura, Jamalai@Jamali Ruhil Amal, Azmuddin Chand, Varun |
| author_facet | Mazura, Jamalai@Jamali Ruhil Amal, Azmuddin Chand, Varun |
| author_sort | Mazura, Jamalai@Jamali |
| building | UMP Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | The use of Digital Discussion Forums (DDFs) has not been researched sufficiently in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses to enhance communication and collaboration skills. Therefore, this paper explores the impact of DDFs usage on these skills through digital discussions among undergraduates. DDF was incorporated into an ESP language classroom and involves a group project outside of classroom time, namely, Company Profile (CP). The qualitative study involved 26 students enrolled in English for Business Professional Communication. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and reflective journals. Thematic analysis was conducted and themes on critical components of 21st Century skills development were analysed. Inter-rater reliability analysis utilising Cohen Kappa analysis showed nearly perfect scores, indicating data reliability. The findings revealed a positive impact of online engagement on students’ overall communication and collaboration skills alongside their English language skill. The findings suggest the usefulness of DDF in developing communicative and collaborative skills. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T03:59:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | ump-45286 |
| institution | Universiti Malaysia Pahang |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T03:59:43Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Universiti Malaysia Sarawak |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | ump-452862025-08-07T01:59:54Z https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45286/ Online communication and collaboration via digital discussion forums: Impacts on 21st century skills and english language learning Mazura, Jamalai@Jamali Ruhil Amal, Azmuddin Chand, Varun LB Theory and practice of education PE English The use of Digital Discussion Forums (DDFs) has not been researched sufficiently in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses to enhance communication and collaboration skills. Therefore, this paper explores the impact of DDFs usage on these skills through digital discussions among undergraduates. DDF was incorporated into an ESP language classroom and involves a group project outside of classroom time, namely, Company Profile (CP). The qualitative study involved 26 students enrolled in English for Business Professional Communication. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and reflective journals. Thematic analysis was conducted and themes on critical components of 21st Century skills development were analysed. Inter-rater reliability analysis utilising Cohen Kappa analysis showed nearly perfect scores, indicating data reliability. The findings revealed a positive impact of online engagement on students’ overall communication and collaboration skills alongside their English language skill. The findings suggest the usefulness of DDF in developing communicative and collaborative skills. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak 2025 Article PeerReviewed pdf en cc_by_nc_sa_4 https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45286/1/Online%20communication%20and%20collaboration%20via%20digital%20discussion%20forums.pdf Mazura, Jamalai@Jamali and Ruhil Amal, Azmuddin and Chand, Varun (2025) Online communication and collaboration via digital discussion forums: Impacts on 21st century skills and english language learning. Issues in Language Studies, 14 (1). pp. 19-36. ISSN 2180-2726. (Published) https://doi.org/10.33736/ils.7442.2025 https://doi.org/10.33736/ils.7442.2025 https://doi.org/10.33736/ils.7442.2025 |
| spellingShingle | LB Theory and practice of education PE English Mazura, Jamalai@Jamali Ruhil Amal, Azmuddin Chand, Varun Online communication and collaboration via digital discussion forums: Impacts on 21st century skills and english language learning |
| title | Online communication and collaboration via digital discussion forums: Impacts on 21st century skills and english language learning |
| title_full | Online communication and collaboration via digital discussion forums: Impacts on 21st century skills and english language learning |
| title_fullStr | Online communication and collaboration via digital discussion forums: Impacts on 21st century skills and english language learning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Online communication and collaboration via digital discussion forums: Impacts on 21st century skills and english language learning |
| title_short | Online communication and collaboration via digital discussion forums: Impacts on 21st century skills and english language learning |
| title_sort | online communication and collaboration via digital discussion forums: impacts on 21st century skills and english language learning |
| topic | LB Theory and practice of education PE English |
| url | https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45286/ https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45286/ https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45286/ |