From Face-to-Face to Digital Learning; Seen from EFL Student's Lenses Enrolled in Online Group Work

Abstract

Numerous higher education institutions around the world must shift their instructions from face-to-face (FTF) to online learning due to Corona Virus Disease in 2019 (Covid19). Furthermore, with the increase in popularity of group work in higher education, especially in the language classroom, and the pivotal changes over the last years, the group works encounter new challenges as they transition to the online world. The study aims to explore the experiences of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' engagement in online group works to explore the benefits and challenges in a new learning environment. The qualitative research design provided an in-depth understanding of the students' perceived value of online group work. Further, an interview was used as the main technique in collecting the data from the entire participants. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated that students had generally good attitudes about online group work; however, some students noted that language and communications concerns presented difficulty at times. Nevertheless, the findings also demonstrated that the benefits of this experience surpassed the drawbacks. Thus, the study's findings can be valuable for practitioners and curriculum designers since they highlight the benefits of group work in an online learning setting and the students' problems they may confront during these classes.

Group Online Engagement: An Analysis From Tuckman Model

“…When assigning students with group work, past studies have investigated issues related to the matter (e.g. Chang, 2018;Harianingsih et al, 2021;Thomas & Thorpe, 2016) in various academic levels especially in terms of the challenges involved in online group work (e.g. Chang & Haijun, 2016;Hurst, 2020;Wildman et al, 2021).…”

“…Chang & Haijun, 2016;Hurst, 2020;Wildman et al, 2021). For example, a recent qualitative study by Harianingsih et al (2021), investigated the experiences of four first-year students (two males and two females, 19 to 20 years old) at a university in Indonesia. These students were enrolled in English for Specific Purposes courses for at least one semester, where the courses were conducted fully using online platform and relied mainly on group tasks.…”

The Impact of Group Work on Students’ Online Engagement

“…In another study done in a much smaller group in Indonesia, communication was made more efficient when the group utilised video conferencing platforms. Such platforms provide more confidence in communicating as well as being flexible to all members (Harianingsih et al, 2021). The studies were conducted when they had to adjust to the onset leading to the height of the pandemic in the second quarter of 2020.…”

“…It can be deduced that online group work made communication better. Meeting and group discussions to complete given tasks are simpler and more efficient (Wildman et al, 2021;Harianingsih et al, 2021).…”

“…Data from their online survey has shown that most of the students find it difficult to complete group works online due to the lack of proper interaction and contact with members of the group. Next, a qualitative case study by Harianingsih et al (2021) investigating the advantages and difficulties of a new learning environment of 4 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students from University of Muhammadiyah Malang participating in online group works indicated that communication problems caused by internet access issues followed by a lack of a sense of community was the biggest hurdle when working in groups. The participants were finding it hard to do group work with members they felt a sense of unfamiliarity with especially when they were grouped with members from different regions.…”