International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

search-icon

Benefits and Challenges of Online Teaching and Learning among Upper Primary ESL Students: The Teachers’ Perspectives

Open access
The rapid advancement of technology has revolutionised education, reshaping the way teaching and learning are conducted. Online teaching and learning have become increasingly popular, offering new possibilities in education delivery. This qualitative study identifies the benefits and challenges that ESL English teachers at school face during online teaching and learning process among upper primary students. This study also identifies the interventional strategies that could be applied in order to overcome the obstacles. Interviews were used to collect data from four experienced teachers. The findings show that online teaching provides numerous benefits for students, parents and teachers. It provides better access which is not only more flexible but also more convenient. Moreover, it enhances personalised learning environment where each student takes a different route to achieve their goals. Regarding the challenges, this study identifies technical problems such as internet connection and the access of hardware as major barriers. Additionally, the motivation from students is also an important key. The study identified the intervention strategy to be applied to solve any potential problem such as technical support, troubleshooting and guidelines from parents. Moreover, clear communication, displays of activities and engaging learning materials were discovered to ensure students remain engaged in online education. The findings of the study provide a comprehensive solution by implementing intervention strategies to ensure smooth online teaching and learning among upper primary students in ESL class.
Alharthi, M. (2022). Parental involvement in children's online education during Covid-19; a phenomenological study in Saudi Arabia. Early Childhood Education Journal, 51, 345–359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-021-01286-y
Al Rawashdeh, A., Z., Mohammed, E., Y., Al Arab, A., R., Alara, M. & Al-Rawashdeh, B.
(2021). Advantages and disadvantages of using e-learning in university education: Analyzing students’ perspectives. The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 19(3), 107-117.. https://doi.org/10.34190/ejel.19.3.2168
Bower, M. (2019). Technology-mediated learning theory. British Journal of Educational Technology, 50(3), 1035–1048. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12771
Cheok, M. L., Wong, S. L., Ayub, A. F., & Mahmud, R. (2017). Teachers' perceptions of E-learning in Malaysian secondary schools. Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology, 5(2), 20-33.
Creswell, J. W. (Eds.). (2012). Educational research: planning, conducted and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Dani, V. (2023). Is online education better than traditional education? Kitaboo. https://kitaboo.com/is-online-education-better-than-traditional-education/
Dhawan, S. (2020). Online learning: A panacea in the time of COVID-19 crisis. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 49(1), 5–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520934018
Evaluation Toolbox. (2010). Semi-structured Interview. http://evaluationtoolbox.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31:semi- structured-interview&catid=19:formative-evaluation-tools&Itemid=137
Flores, M. A., Barros, A., Simão, A. M. V., Pereira, D., Flores, P., Fernandes, E., Costa, L., & Ferreira, P. C. (2021). Portuguese higher education students’ adaptation to online teaching and learning in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: personal and contextual factors. Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-021-00748-x
Franklin, J. (2022). Is online learning as good as classroom learning in 2022? eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/is-online-learning-as-good-as-classroom-learning-in-2022
Gillett-Swan, J., K. (2017). The challenges of online learning: Supporting and engaging the isolated learner. Journal of Learning Design, 10(1), 20-30. https://doi.org/10.5204/jld.v9i3.293
Gray, J., A. & Diloreto, M. (2016). The effects of student engagement, student satisfaction, and perceived learning in online learning environments. NCPEA International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation, 11(1), 1-21.
Guppy, N., Verpoorten, D., Boud, D., Lin, L., Tai, J., & Bartolic, S. (2022). The post-COVID-19 future of digital learning in higher education: Views from educators, students, and other professionals in six countries. British Journal of Educational Technology, 53(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13212
Han, Y. (2020). Connecting the past to the future of computer-assisted language learning: theory, practice, and research. Issues and Trends in Learning Technologies, 8(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.2458/azu_itlt_v8i1_han
Hardesty, D., M. & Bearden, W., O. (2003). The use of expert judges in scale development: Implications for improving face validity of measures of unobservable constructs. Journal of Business Research, 57(2), 9-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0148-2963(01)00295-8
Hodges, C., Moore, S., Lockee, B., Trust, T., & Bond, A. (2020). The difference between emergency remote teaching and online learning. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2020/3/the-difference-between-emergency-remote-teaching-a nd-online-learning
Juneja, K. K. (2021). Challenges and benefits of online teaching in higher education. Journal of Global Resources, 8(1), 118-126. https://doi.org/10.46587/jgr.2022.v08i01.014
Lim, D. (2005). The effect of flexible learning delivery format on online learners' learning, application, and instructional perception. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 33(4), 385-397. https://doi.org/10.2190/DGPY-QYGN-QGJ3-6D6J
Lucas, M., & Vicente, P. N. (2022). A double-edged sword: Teachers’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of online teaching and learning in higher education. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 5083-5103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11363-3
Lukas, B., A. & Yunus, M., M. (2021). ESL teachers’ challenges in implementing E-learning during COVID-19. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 20(2), 330-348. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.20.2.18
Martin, F. & Bolliger, D., U. (2018). Engagement matters: Student perceptions on the importance of engagement strategies in the online learning environment. Online Learning Journal, 22(1), 205-222. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v22i1.1092
Mbongo, E. N., Hako, A. N., & Munangatire, T. (2021). Benefits and challenges of online teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic at Rundu campus of the University of Namibia. European Journal of Educational Sciences, 8(4), 53–64. https://doi.org/10.19044/ejes.v8no4a53
Muir, T., Wang, I., Trimble, A., Mainsbridge, C. & Douglas, T. Using interactive online pedagogical approaches to promote student engagement. Educ. Sci., 12(6), 415. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12060415
Nowell, L., S., Norris, J., M., White, D., E. & Moules, N., J. (2017). Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917733847
Palinkas, L., A., Horwitz, S., M., Green, C., A., Wisdom, J., P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2016). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Adm Policy Ment Health, 42(5), 533–544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y
Picciano, A. G. (2020). Beyond student perceptions: Issues of interaction, presence and performance in an online course. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 6(1), 21-38. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v6i1.1870
Pragasam, J., A. & Sulaiman. N., A. (2023). Integrating technology in ESL reading classroom: Accounting pupils’ perspectives. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on Communication and Language in Virtual Spaces, 324-342.
https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/comm1.23
Rahim, M. N., & Ahmadi, S. A. R. (2021). The teachers’ roles in reducing the interference of l1 in audio-lingual classrooms: a qualitative case study in Malaysian primary school. REiLA : Journal of Research and Innovation in Language, 3(2), 96-104.https://doi.org/10.31849/reila.v3i2.6335
Raja, R., & Nagasubramani, P. C. (2018). Impact of modern technology in education. Journal ofApplied and Advanced Research, 3(S1), S33-S35. https://doi.org/10.21839/jaar.2018.v3is1.165
Raw, S. D. M., & Ismail, H. H. (2021). Tracing effectiveness and challenges in using online tools to enhance vocabulary language learning: A review. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 10(3), 938–952. http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v10-i3/10756
Saepuloh, A., Nurmalasari, M., Dewi, A. L., Nuraeni. (2021). Teaching speaking skills by using audio lingual method with Orai application. International Conference on Education of Suryakancana, 255 – 263. https://doi.org/10.35194/cp.v0i0.1355
Saminathan, V. (2020). Problems of online classes. International Journal of Academic Research Reflector, 9(6), 1-3.
Sim, J. and Ismail, H. (2023). Using digital tools in teaching and learning English: Delving into English language teachers’ perspectives. Creative Education, 14(10), 2021-2036. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ce.2023.1410129
Skare, M., & Soriano, D., R. (2021). How globalization is changing digital technology adoption: An international perspective. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 6(4), 222–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2021.04.001
Thanji, M. & Shanmugam, V. (2018). Impact of learner's perception of time savings and cost effectiveness on adoption of online learning. International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics, 118(5), 155-165.
Vargas-Macias, Z. L., Rodriguez-Hernandez, A. A., & Sanchez-Saenz, C. L. (2020). Digital games (gamification) in learning and training: an approach to adaptation and integration in the classroom. GIST Education and Learning Research Journal, 20, 171-188. https://doi.org/10.26817/16925777.765
Wyatt, B. M., Aburto, F., Howe, J. A., & A. Peyton Smith. (2023). Benefits and challenges of online teaching: Lessons and perspectives gained during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nat Sci Educ,52(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/nse2.20114
Yaccob, N. S., Abd. Rahman, S. F., Azlan Mohamad, S. N., Abdul Rahim, A. A., Khalilah Abdul Rashid, K., Mohammed Abdulwahab Aldaba, A., Md Yunus, M., & Hashim, H. (2022). Gamifying esl classrooms through gamified teaching and learning. Arab World English Journal, 8, 177–191. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/call8.12.
Yan, L. R., Joseph, K. A. A., Hamzah, F. A., & Ismail, H. H. (2024). Benefits and Challenges of Online Teaching and Learning among Upper Primary ESL Students: The Teachers’ Perspectives. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(10), 1821–1834.