EFL students’ perceptions of Whatsapp and its potential benefits in ELT practicum

Other Title(s)

تصورات متعلمي اللغة الانجليزية كلغة أجنبية : حول تطبيق الواتساب و فوائده المحتملة في التربية العملية لتخصص اللغة الإنجليزية

Author

Duwaykat, Khalid Abd al-Jalil Ayshah

Source

Palestinian Journal of Technology and Applied Sciences

Issue

Vol. 2019, Issue 2 (31 Jan. 2019), pp.14-29, 16 p.

Publisher

al-Quds Open University Deanship of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies

Publication Date

2019-01-31

Country of Publication

Palestine (West Bank)

No. of Pages

16

Main Subjects

Educational Sciences
Media and Communication
Information Technology and Computer Science

Topics

Abstract EN

Technology has become an indispensable part of our daily life including the educational system.

The current spread of the Internet and its enormous applications have provided various benefits, specifically, the use of web-based technologies in education.

Since the introduction of m-learning into education, mobile phones, smartphones and tablets have become a great part of foreign language learning and teaching.

Therefore, the widespread availability of smartphone technology seems to have a promising impact on education.

In particular, WhatsApp, as a smartphone application, is considered one of the most popular communication platforms in the 21st century.

Hence, the current study aimed at investigating the perceptions of WhatsApp among EFL Students, and its potential benefits in ELT practicum at al-Quds Open University in Palestine.

The participants were 30 senior students who were enrolled in the English major (28 females and 2 males).

These students were enrolled in EFL practicum during the academic year 2017-2018.

To achieve the objectives of the study, a mixed research method was employed using multiple tools for data collection, including a questionnaire, a focus group and phone interviews via WhatsApp.

Results revealed that the total degree of the students’ perceptions of WhatsApp was high.

The participating students used WhatsApp application to send and receive different types of materials and activities for communicating with the supervisor, the total number of which was 752.

In light of these results, a number of recommendations were provided including, encouraging faculty members to integrate social media into the teaching environments by providing them with training programs, workshops, and online training.

Moreover, the need for providing faculty members with curricula plans and activities that require implementation of WhatsApp in the learning environments.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Duwaykat, Khalid Abd al-Jalil Ayshah. 2019. EFL students’ perceptions of Whatsapp and its potential benefits in ELT practicum. Palestinian Journal of Technology and Applied Sciences،Vol. 2019, no. 2, pp.14-29.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-860569

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Duwaykat, Khalid Abd al-Jalil Ayshah. EFL students’ perceptions of Whatsapp and its potential benefits in ELT practicum. Palestinian Journal of Technology and Applied Sciences No. 2 (Jan. 2019), pp.14-29.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-860569

American Medical Association (AMA)

Duwaykat, Khalid Abd al-Jalil Ayshah. EFL students’ perceptions of Whatsapp and its potential benefits in ELT practicum. Palestinian Journal of Technology and Applied Sciences. 2019. Vol. 2019, no. 2, pp.14-29.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-860569

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references : p. 27-29

Record ID

BIM-860569