Building Student Interactions Outside the Classroom: Utilizing a Web-Based Application in a University Flipped Learning Course for EFL Learners

Abstract

This research project developed a web-based application to facilitate out-of-class collaborative learning; the aim was to transform a student culture that facilitated very little independent study outside the classroom and classroom learning that treated students mainly as passive participants. Additionally, an innovative flipped learning course utilizing this web-based application was implemented in order to integrate online and in-class collaborative learning. We hypothesized that students’ online collaborative learning could be activated and sustained throughout the semester. Based on pre- and post-questionnaire results, it was apparent that the students actively participated in discussions outside class (Active Learning (AL): p