VietTESOL International Convention 2022
Nha Trang University, September 16-18
Group work has been well documented to be effective in enhancing the interaction and communication among EFL learners, therefore, this activity has been widely employed in online EFL classes in the context of the Covid19 pandemic. The goal of this study is to explore the benefits and challenges of group work in online EFL classes from learners' voices. A mixed-method approach was employed in this research. Participants were 246 non-English majors from a Vietnam university. They were asked to fill out questionnaires with questions about the advantages and difficulties they encountered when they worked in groups in online English lessons. To investigate in further depth, 10 students from this sample were invited to participate in online individual interviews. Regarding Data Analysis, the quantitative data from questionnaires were analyzed with Microsoft Excel Software, while the qualitative data from the interviews were analyzed with content analysis. Findings revealed that most participants believe the benefits of online group work are associated with peer learning; cooperation through the applications of online platforms like Nearpod, Padlet, or Google Docs and learners' motivation. Nevertheless, many learners perceived that their biggest challenge was group members' attitudes and behaviour, which detered them from working in a group. Some suggestions proposed by participants were clear marking criteria for member's contributions should be made to encourage the involvement of students; the number of group work activities should be limited to one or two in each lesson.
Keywords: group work, peer learning, online learning, online platforms, cooperation
Group work has been well documented to be effective in enhancing the interaction and communication among EFL learners, therefore, this activity has been widely employed in online EFL classes in the context of the Covid19 pandemic. The goal of this study is to explore the benefits and challenges of group work in online EFL classes from learners' voices. A mixed-method approach was employed in this research. Participants were 246 non-English majors from a Vietnam university. They were asked to fill out questionnaires with questions about the advantages and difficulties they encountered when they worked in groups in online English lessons. To investigate in further depth, 10 students from this sample were invited to participate in online individual interviews. Regarding Data Analysis, the quantitative data from questionnaires were analyzed with Microsoft Excel Software, while the qualitative data from the interviews were analyzed with content analysis. Findings revealed that most participants believe the benefits of online group work are associated with peer learning; cooperation through the applications of online platforms like Nearpod, Padlet, or Google Docs and learners' motivation. Nevertheless, many learners perceived that their biggest challenge was group members' attitudes and behaviour, which detered them from working in a group. Some suggestions proposed by participants were clear marking criteria for member's contributions should be made to encourage the involvement of students; the number of group work activities should be limited to one or two in each lesson.
Keywords: group work, peer learning, online learning, online platforms, cooperation
Room 12 (Building G3, Room 102) VietTESOL International Convention 2022 convention@viettesol.org.vnTechnical Issues?
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