The design of the digital platform “RedacText 2.0” to aid writing and researching academic texts

Abstract

This paper deals with the analysis, design and implementation of an interactive platform (RedacText 2.0) aimed to aid college students and future teachers of elementary and secondary education write academic texts. As a resource, RedacText 2.0 addresses the context and the production process of academic texts. It is equipped with help tools which facilitate the completion of tasks, both by the writer and the tutor. This platform consists of three sections: Tutor, Writer and Didactext group research, and focuses on context, production process and text. The writer section includes activities available for download and allows them to be sent electronically to the tutor, so that he can guide and evaluate the process of the production of the text and mediate in the writer’s learning. This section allows students to create a database which records progress in their learning and contributes to improve their writing skills. The documents generated in this section also allow Didactext research group to investigate how to teach and learn academic writing, and pays particular attention to online sources/resources. The main goal of this project is to contribute to our understanding of teacher training. The project is in line with other writing programs in English such as: Expository Writing, Writing Programs, Center for Academic Writing; and trends similar to: European Association for the Teaching of Academic Writing, Scaffolded Writing and Rewriting in the Disciplines; and the National Writing Project.