The Effects of Reflective Learning on the Quality of English Writing in Chinese University Students: An Analysis Based on Coh-Metrix and Reflective Journals
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Published
Jan 27, 2025
Abstract
This study aims to examine the effects of reflective learning on the quality of English writing in Chinese university students using the Coh-Metrix tool and the students’ reflective journals. According to its research findings, reflective learning had significantly positive effects on the students’ quality of English writing in terms of content/ideas, organization/development, and language. Furthermore, reflective learning significantly improved the lexical diversity of their English writing; it also enhanced the cohesion and coherence of their writing through the improvement in referential coherence and semantic overlapping. Thematic analysis of the subjects’ reflective journals corresponds to these findings while also indicating that reflective learning helps elevate their self-efficacy in English writing.
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Keywords
Reflective Learning, Reflective Journal, English Writing, Coh-Metrix
Supporting Agencies
No funding sources declared.
References
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Barney, K. & Mackinlay, E. (2010). Creating rainbows from words and transforming understandings: Enhancing student learning through reflective writing in an Aboriginal music course. Teaching in Higher Education, 2010(2),161-173. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13562511003619995
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Cazan, A. M. Enhancing self-regulated learning by learning journals. Procedia: Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2012(1),413-417. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.01.154
Chang, M.M. & Lin, M.C. (2014). The effect of reflective learning e-journals on reading comprehension and communication in language learning. Computers & Education, 71(1),124-132. Available at: https://www.learntechlib.org/p/200577/
Cui, L. (2006). The development of reflective thinking and strategic learning through journal writing. Teaching English in China, 29(1),84-111.
Dewey, J. (1933). How We Think: A Restatement of Reflective Thinking to the Educative Process. Boston: D. C. Health.
Hatton, N. & Smith, D. (1995). Reflection in teacher education: Towards definition and implementation. Teacher and Teacher Education, 11(1),33-49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0742-051X(94)00012-U
Kennison, M. & Misselwitz, S. (2002). Evaluating reflective writing for appropriateness，fairness and consistency. Nursing Education Perspectives, 23(5),238-242.
Kolb, D. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.
Li, N. (2019). Developing English Majors’ Critical Thinking Ability through the application of reflective journals. Contemporary Education Research and Teaching Practice, 2019(17),58+131.
Li, N. & Li, Z. (2023). The application of reflective journals that incorporate metacognitive training in Chinese-Korean translation instruction. Theory and Practice of Education, 2023(2),115-117.
Li, R. (2021). A practical study of the effects of reflective journals in improving college students’ reading competence from the perspective of promoting learning through assessment. Journal of Tianjin Agricultural University, 28(1),97-101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19640/j.cnki.jtau.2021.10.019
Liang, M. (2006). Coherence in EFL Learners’ written production. Modern Foreign Languages, 29(1),284-330.
Lin, Y. (2012). Oral English teaching and the cultivation of critical thinking ability: The use of students’ reflective journals in an English debate course. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, 2012(5),29-33.
Liu, Q., Zheng, X., & Deng, W. (2021). Scaffolding based on reflective journals and its application outcomes. Modern Distance Education, 2021(5),3-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13927/j.cnki. yuan. 20210831.001
McNamara, D., Graesser, A. C., McCarthy, P. M., & Cai, Z. (2014). Automated evaluation of text and discourse with Coh-Metrix. Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511894664
Merriam, S.B. (1998). Qualitative Research and Case Study Applications in Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Moon, J. (1999). Learning Journal: A Handbook for Academics, Students and Professional Development. London: Kogan Page．
Ren, H. (2017). Reflective learning and listening proficiency development in college English learning. Testing and Evaluation, 89(4),72-75.
Vygotsky, L. (1986). Thought and Language. Cambridge: MIT Press．
Xue, S. (2021). The effectiveness of reflective journals in developing critical thinking in English writing. Journal of Weifang Engineering Vocational College, 34(6),29-36,42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1009-2080.2021.06.05
Yockey, R. D. (2010). SPSS Demystified: A Simple Guide and Reference. (Chinese Translation by Chao Liu & Zheng Wu). Beijing: China Renmin University Press.
Zhang, W. (2014). Translation Teaching and the Cultivation of Critical Thinking Ability: The role of reflective journals in translation instruction. Journal of Hefei University (Social Sciences Edition), 2014(6),127-130.
Zhao, X. & Sun, B. (2019). WeChat-assisted reflective learning in English writing instruction. Journal of Qiqihar University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 2019(3),177-183.
Barney, K. & Mackinlay, E. (2010). Creating rainbows from words and transforming understandings: Enhancing student learning through reflective writing in an Aboriginal music course. Teaching in Higher Education, 2010(2),161-173. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13562511003619995
Boud, D. (2001). Using journal writing to enhance reflective practice. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2001(90),9-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.16
Cazan, A. M. Enhancing self-regulated learning by learning journals. Procedia: Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2012(1),413-417. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.01.154
Chang, M.M. & Lin, M.C. (2014). The effect of reflective learning e-journals on reading comprehension and communication in language learning. Computers & Education, 71(1),124-132. Available at: https://www.learntechlib.org/p/200577/
Cui, L. (2006). The development of reflective thinking and strategic learning through journal writing. Teaching English in China, 29(1),84-111.
Dewey, J. (1933). How We Think: A Restatement of Reflective Thinking to the Educative Process. Boston: D. C. Health.
Hatton, N. & Smith, D. (1995). Reflection in teacher education: Towards definition and implementation. Teacher and Teacher Education, 11(1),33-49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0742-051X(94)00012-U
Kennison, M. & Misselwitz, S. (2002). Evaluating reflective writing for appropriateness，fairness and consistency. Nursing Education Perspectives, 23(5),238-242.
Kolb, D. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.
Li, N. (2019). Developing English Majors’ Critical Thinking Ability through the application of reflective journals. Contemporary Education Research and Teaching Practice, 2019(17),58+131.
Li, N. & Li, Z. (2023). The application of reflective journals that incorporate metacognitive training in Chinese-Korean translation instruction. Theory and Practice of Education, 2023(2),115-117.
Li, R. (2021). A practical study of the effects of reflective journals in improving college students’ reading competence from the perspective of promoting learning through assessment. Journal of Tianjin Agricultural University, 28(1),97-101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19640/j.cnki.jtau.2021.10.019
Liang, M. (2006). Coherence in EFL Learners’ written production. Modern Foreign Languages, 29(1),284-330.
Lin, Y. (2012). Oral English teaching and the cultivation of critical thinking ability: The use of students’ reflective journals in an English debate course. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, 2012(5),29-33.
Liu, Q., Zheng, X., & Deng, W. (2021). Scaffolding based on reflective journals and its application outcomes. Modern Distance Education, 2021(5),3-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13927/j.cnki. yuan. 20210831.001
McNamara, D., Graesser, A. C., McCarthy, P. M., & Cai, Z. (2014). Automated evaluation of text and discourse with Coh-Metrix. Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511894664
Merriam, S.B. (1998). Qualitative Research and Case Study Applications in Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Moon, J. (1999). Learning Journal: A Handbook for Academics, Students and Professional Development. London: Kogan Page．
Ren, H. (2017). Reflective learning and listening proficiency development in college English learning. Testing and Evaluation, 89(4),72-75.
Vygotsky, L. (1986). Thought and Language. Cambridge: MIT Press．
Xue, S. (2021). The effectiveness of reflective journals in developing critical thinking in English writing. Journal of Weifang Engineering Vocational College, 34(6),29-36,42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1009-2080.2021.06.05
Yockey, R. D. (2010). SPSS Demystified: A Simple Guide and Reference. (Chinese Translation by Chao Liu & Zheng Wu). Beijing: China Renmin University Press.
Zhang, W. (2014). Translation Teaching and the Cultivation of Critical Thinking Ability: The role of reflective journals in translation instruction. Journal of Hefei University (Social Sciences Edition), 2014(6),127-130.
Zhao, X. & Sun, B. (2019). WeChat-assisted reflective learning in English writing instruction. Journal of Qiqihar University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 2019(3),177-183.
How to Cite
Xie, Y., & Wu, Y. (2025). The Effects of Reflective Learning on the Quality of English Writing in Chinese University Students: An Analysis Based on Coh-Metrix and Reflective Journals . Science Insights Education Frontiers, 26(1), 4281–4296. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.25.re453
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