The role of cognitive individual differences in digital versus pen-and-paper writing

Luke Plonsky, Olena Vasylets, M. Dolores Mellado

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is unknown whether and to what extent cognitive individual differences may play different roles in paper versus computer-based second language (L2) writing. This exploratory study is a first attempt to explore this issue, focusing on the effects of working memory and language aptitude on the quality of paper versus computer-based L2 writing performance. Forty-two Spanish learners of L2 English performed a problem-solving task either digitally or on paper, took a working memory n-back test, and completed LLAMA tests to measure language aptitude. The quality of their L2 written texts was assessed in terms of complexity, accuracy and fluency (CAF) measures. The results indicated that the role of cognitive individual differences may vary depending on the writing environment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)721-743
Number of pages23
JournalStudies in Second Language Learning and Teaching
Volume12
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • digital writing
  • language aptitude
  • pen-and-paper writing
  • working memory
  • writing environment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Language and Linguistics
  • Linguistics and Language

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