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

Abstract

The study critically examines the features of three such e-learning platforms: Blackboard, Google Classroom, and Zoom. It provides an in-depth analysis of the digital learning podium's effectiveness in a pandemic like 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' potentials to encourage EFL teachers and learners to take the challenge of adapting to a transforming world that could engage them in e-learning innovation. An electronic survey of 36 items was conducted to identify EFL teachers' perceptions of these platforms' performance. 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 COVID-19. The elicited 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 Blackboard (Ave. AR = 68.09%, Ave. Mean = 3.694), and lastly Zoom (Ave. AR = 61.85%, Ave. Mean = 3.544), according to the participants. The research findings should be an initiative for 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.