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The role of technology in language teaching and learning has increased remarkably over the past decades. From a constructivist perspective, virtual learning setting mostly benefitting learners and teachers to save time and energy (Nezam Hashemi & Yazdani Moghaddam, 2014) supports knowledge construction, active learning, student reflection, and critical thinking (Romiszowski & Mason, 2004; Olesova, 2013). The use of blogs in EFL learning is also highly supported by the constructivist approach. This is because their use underscores learner-centered and constructivist environments, learner interactions, and active and social learning (Ferdig, 2007; Kern, 2006). Blogging helping learners to construct knowledge from past experiences, provides opportunities for developing ideas collaboratively with peers and teachers (Jones & Brader–Araje, 2002) and promotes an interactive learning experience through ‘learning by doing’ and higher order learning and thinking (Cameron, 2011; Ferdig & Trammel, 2004). According to Fageeh (2011), a blog is regarded as a potential tool for the development of linguistic skills and provides real communication chances in which writing and reading occur in an authentic environment with real audience. As such, an appropriate and successful teacher feedback can heighten the efficacy of blogging.
As the availability of computer facilities increases, the role of the computer in mediating feedback becomes inevitable in practice and research. According to Seliem and Ahmed (2009), “electronic-feedback (e-feedback) is defined as feedback in digital, written form and transmitted via the web” (p. 6). In other words, e-feedback is a hybrid of oral and written feedback (Hyland & Hyland, 2006) and is marked by its permanency, availability, its capability of encouraging group knowledge (Warschauer & Ware, 2006), interactive textual exchange and greater student participation (Guardada & Shi, 2007). Sending tutors' comments via the internet or virtual learning environment (Denton, Madden, Roberts, & Rowe, 2008) can enhance the way in which students receive and engage with feedback. By the same token, using blogs to provide instructor’s feedback regarding language learners’ performance has a crucial role in the learning process (Lynch & Maclean, 2003; Yang, Badger, & Yu, 2007). Furthermore, e-feedback giving more democratic power to students offers spaces for academic student involvement and safe environments (Selfe, 1992). Yet, it is required to consider how the incorporation of technology in EFL instruction and feedback provision can highly affect the learners’ perceived linguistic, cognitive, and social outcomes.