Effect of Synchronous Virtual Learning Environment on Reading Comprehension of Undergraduate EFL Students

Subject Areas :

Javad Akbari ¹ , Hossein Heidari Tabrizi ² , Azizeh Chalak ³

1 - English Department, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 - English Department, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
3 - English Department, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

Received: 2022-12-25 Accepted : 2023-03-01 Published : 2023-07-01

Keywords: reading comprehension, distance education, Asynchronous Virtual Learning Environment, Live Interactive Teaching Rooms, Synchronous Virtual Learning Environment,

Abstract :

Virtual learning has been defined as any system of education and instruction that brings together participants who are separated by geographical distances or time. Significantly, in a virtual learning environment, interactive telecommunications systems are utilized to connect learners, resources, and instructors. As such, the present study sought to investigate the possible effect of a synchronous virtual learning environment on the reading comprehension of undergraduate EFL university students. To this end, from the population of students majoring in English translation at Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran, one control group, and one experimental group were non-probabilistically selected based on their availability. Indeed, thirty students were chosen for the control group and thirty students were nominated for the experimental group. Live interactive teaching rooms were utilized in the experimental group during the term, whereas asynchronous instructional practices were adopted in the control group within the study. According to the results of paired samples t-test, the experimental group, which was instructed by live interactive teaching rooms over the term, had better performance at the end of the period as compared to the beginning of the term. Moreover, the independent samples t-test showed that the students' scores on the post-test in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group. Evidently, the results of the present study may have practical implications for EFL teachers, online instructors, distance education programmers, materials developers, and syllabus designers.

References:

Abeles, T. (1998). The Academy in a Wired World. Futures, 30(7), 606.

Akbari, J., Tabrizi, H. H., & Chalak, A. (2020). Effectiveness of virtual vs. non-virtual teaching in improving reading comprehension of Iranian undergraduate EFL students. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 22(2), 272-283.

DiPietro, M., Ferdig, R. E., Black, E. W., & Preston, M. (2008). Best practices in teaching K-12 online: Lessons learned from Michigan Virtual School teachers. Journal of interactive online learning, 7(1), 10-35.

Faircloth, B. S., & Hamm, J. V. (2011). The dynamic reality of adolescent peer networks and sense of belonging. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 57(1), 48-72. Retrieved from www.wsupress.wayne.edu/journals/merrill-palmer-quarterly

Ghourchian, N. G.,& Arasteh,H. R., & Jafari, P.(2004). Encyclopedia of Higher Education. Ministry of Science, Research and Technology the Great Persian Encyclopedia Foundation. Vol.1, PP.511-522

Guri-Rosenblit, S. (2009). Distance education in the digital age: Common misconceptions and challenging tasks. International Journal of E-Learning & Distance Education/Revue internationale du e-learning et la formation à distance, 23(2), 105-122.

Harting, K., & Erthal, M. J. (2005). History of distance learning. Information technology, learning, and performance journal, 23(1), 35.

Harvey, D., Greer, D., Basham, J., & Hu, B. (2014). From the student perspective: Experiences of middle and high school students in online learning. The American Journal of Distance Education, 28, 14-26. doi:10.1080/08923647.2014.868739

Najafi, H., & Heidari, M. (2019). Blended learning and academic achievement: A meta-analysis. Quarterly of Iranian Distance Education Journal, 1(3), 39-48.

Noam, E. (1995). Electronics and the Dim Future of the University. Science, 270(13):247-249

Picciano, A. G., & Seaman, J. (2007). K-12 online learning: A survey of US school district administrators: ERIC.

Tracey, M. W., & Richey, R. C. (2005). The evolution of distance education. Distance Learning, 2(6), 17.

Wang, C. M., & Reeves, T. C. (2007). Synchronous online learning experiences: The perspectives of international students from Taiwan. Educational Media International, 44(4), 339-356.