e-ISSN: 2618-6586 Open Access · Peer-Reviewed JETOL on DergiPark
JETOL — Journal of Educational Technology & Online Learning
Publisher
Gürhan Durak
Publication Model
Periodical (January – May – September)
Status
Open for Submissions

A Comparative Study of Online Teacher-Involved and Peer Interactive Learning: Chinese EFL Students’ Perceptions and Practices

Research Article

Download PDF DOI: 10.31681/jetol.512896
Published in
Volume 2, Issue 1 (2019)
Pages
56–73
Publication Date
January 31, 2019
Submission Date
January 15, 2019
Acceptance Date
January 29, 2019
Subjects
Studies on Education

Abstract

This comparative study aims at exploring Chinese university English as a foreign language (EFL) students’ perceptions and practice of two types of interactive learning: the teacher-involved one and the peer one, as well as the factors that may have impacts on their learning. Participants of the study were 32 Chinese EFL students enrolled in a university, being randomly divided into two groups. One group of students participated in teacher-involved interactive learning in an online context; the other group interacted with peers for learning while the teachers were not involved in learning activities. Data collection were administrated via students’ online learning documents and semi-structured individual interviews. It was found that students’ perceptions and practice were different in two types of interaction. In teacher-involved interactive learning, participants were under the strong impacts of their teachers, and had more stable engagement in learning; while students in peer interactive learning were influenced by a wider range of factors, leading to their less stable participation and production in learning activities. Besides, EFL students were found to be more active in a teacher-involved learning context. Recommendations for future studies are provided on the base of these findings.

Keywords

  • English as a foreign language
  • interactive learning
  • teacher-student interaction
  • peer interaction
  • Online learning
  • peer interaction
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