Using ICT Tools in Distant EFL Classes: The Voice of Teachers and Students

ABSTRACT

The rapid development of information technologies leads to big changes in every part of life involving the education process since they provide opportunities to accomplish various instructional goals by responding to different learning styles (Bagapova, Kobilova and Yuldasheva, 2020). Hence, it is very crucial to be aware of the impact of using ICT tools in language classes in distance education, which is becoming more common with each passing day in the pandemic period and thereafter. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the perceptions of both teachers and students about using ICT tools in synchronous or asynchronous language classes in distance education. The EFL teachers at a state university in Turkey introduced some ICT tools in distance learning during a whole educational year both in synchronous classes and asynchronously via video shares. At the end of the year, both the students and the teachers at the same university were asked to respond to an interview on the implementation of ICT tools into the language classes and their perceptions of them. The results indicated that both teachers and students had common points on the advantages of using web tools in online language classes, particularly for more active participation and permanent learning. The findings of the current study contribute to the understanding of the role of ICT tools in distant EFL classes and suggest for further studies on the relevant issue in other contexts with a wider number of participants. It is also recommended to future educators to integrate such tools into their method of teaching to develop their skills in using technology. To do so, the EFL teachers need to be introduced by recent technologies and tools and how to integrate them into their classes during their teacher training process.