A Qualitative Study of the Perceptions of Iranian EFL Learners’ Attitudes towards CMC Tools Usefulness

Abstract

This project examined the perceptions of Iranian EFL learners’ attitudes towards online computer-mediated communication tools usefulness. Few researches have been done to evaluate student perceptions of the helpfulness of CMC tools in online learning. In this regard, based on convenient sampling method, 60 English Language Teaching students (B.A) of Zanjan Azad University were selected. The students attended in two classes that were held by two different instructors. To homogenize the participants, PET was administered. Those participants whose scores was ±1 above and below the standard deviation were selected as the statistical sample (n= 60). Then, the selected participants were randomly assigned to one experimental (n= 30) and one control group (n= 30).The Community of Inquiry (CoI) questionnaire was distributed among the participants in groups before the treatment. During the study, the experimental group was taught using e-mail and telegram chat. In the control group, the learners were taught through traditional way of teaching. At the end of the treatment, the CoI questionnaire was re-administered among the learners in the both groups. Responses before and after the treatment revealed that the perceptions’ of the learners in the experimental group were significantly influenced as a result of instructing by e-mail and telegram.