Technology is not currently used in EFL classrooms at my college. Therefore different online course management systems like Blackboard and Nicenet were integrated into EFL courses such as writing, reading, vocabulary, and grammar. Students' PCs and internet connection were used from home as no computers are available at my college. In addition word processing programs, computer spell checkers, email, and internet resources were used. Online instruction was used as a supplement to traditional in-class instruction. The present study will show how the students were connected, which online course tools and online activities were used, and whether the integration of online learning in EFL instruction had any effect on EFL college students' achievement and attitudes. Analysis of students' comments and responses to the post-treatment questionnaires revealed positive attitudes towards online learning and the course under study. Active students found the online course useful and fun and considered it a new way of leaning English grammar and doing homework. It heightened their motivation and raised their self-esteem. It created a warm-climate between the students and instructor and among the students themselves. They found the exercises posted in "Link Sharing" useful, as they provided more practice and gave instant feedback. The exercises helped clarify difficult points and helped the students review for the in-terms. They could use the online course any time and as many times as they needed. It made the class material easier. Views of inactive students who hesitated to use technology in learning EFL will be also reported.
Prof. Reima Al-jarf
King Saud University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/aljarf
Bookmark/Search this post with:
