A Descriptive Study of EFL Teachers' Perception toward E-learning Platforms during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The study critically examines the features of three e-learning platforms: Blackboard (BB), Google Classroom, and Zoom. It provides an in-depth analysis of the digital learning platform’s effectiveness in a pandemic like the COVID-19. It synthesizes the strengths and limitations of the selected e-learning platforms for English language teaching. The study focuses on authentic e-learning platforms’ potential to encourage English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and learners to take the challenge of adapting to a transforming world that could engage them in e-learning innovation. The research was conducted in the first period of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. An electronic survey of 36 items was conducted to identify three different countries’ 101 EFL teachers' perceptions about the performance of these platforms. The survey comprised three questionnaires for each e-learning platform with six parts, namely, accessibility and usability, efficiency and convenience, communication and interaction, teacher's attitude, teacher's satisfaction, and e-learning experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data was analysed using Minitab 16 Statistical software. The internal consistency of the survey was measured through the values of Cronbach's Alpha. Other statistical measures such as mean, standard deviation, and agreeable rate (AR) were used to portray the efficacy of each application. The results of the survey indicate that Google Classroom (Ave. AR = 72.92%, Ave. Mean = 3.887) is the most effective e-learning platform, followed by BB (Ave. AR = 68.09%, Ave. Mean = 3.694), and lastly Zoom (Ave. AR = 61.85%, Ave. Mean = 3.544), according to the participants. Furthermore, the findings indicate that free E-learning platforms like Google Classroom could be more beneficial for developing countries, whereas BB Learning Management System (LMS) works best for the developed countries. The research findings should be of interest to the language learners and help teachers and policymakers design e-learning environments to make the learning process feasible in and out of an international global crisis.