Comparative Analysis of Feedback Practices and Perspectives in Online Academic Writing Assessments at Two Regional Tertiary Institutions

Abstract

This study addresses the gap in comparative analyses of feedback strategies in online writing assessments at higher education institutions in the Gulf region. Although previous research has examined different facets of online feedback, direct institutional comparisons have been overlooked. This research provides new insights into effective feedback techniques through a comparative study of feedback approaches at the Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS) in Oman and Qassim University (QU) in Saudi Arabia. The primary aim is to investigate faculty practices and perceptions regarding online feedback, evaluating its effectiveness and impact on student success. By examining how faculty members provide online feedback and its effects on students' achievements, the study seeks to enhance students' academic writing skills and mastery of disciplinary knowledge. The findings contribute to the conversation on effective feedback strategies in contemporary education, offering valuable insights for improving feedback practices, informing faculty development, guiding institutional policies, and enriching the broader literature on online teaching and assessment. The study's conclusions were based on data gathered from 41 respondents and analyzed through quantitative and qualitative methods, providing a comprehensive understanding of online feedback practices and their impact on enhancing EFL students’ writing skills.