A Case Study on the Efficacy of Error Correction Practice by Using the Automated Writing Evaluation System WRM 2.0 on Chinese College Students´ English Writing

A case study was conducted to get insights into the efficacy of error correction practice by using the automated writing evaluation system Writing Roadmap2.0 (WRM), on Chinese college students´ English writing. In the research, a group of fresh students in Southwest Petroleum University were required to finish a title- and outline-given essay within 30 minutes by using WRM, and then to revise the essays according to the electronic feedback provided by the system in 15 minutes. By comparing and analyzing the feedback reports given by the system, we found that the participants enjoyed better self-editing ability, writing accuracy and writing quality, but no distinct changes in the organization and ideas. The research indicated that students were able to revise their essays effectively according to the feedback information provided by WRM, but they needed more guidance and advice from teachers if they wanted to improve the structure, coherence and cohesion. This study offers new evidence to support the practice by using automated evaluation system on pedagogical grounds.