The Effectiveness of Using Blackboard in Improving the English Listening and Speaking Skills of the Female Students at the University of Hail

Abstract

The use of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) in Saudi universities has brought about significant changes in the academic environment. Therefore, the effectiveness of these systems deserves a careful examination. The current study investigates female students' perceptions on the accessibility, usability and effectiveness of using Blackboard (Bb) in a web-enhanced listening and speaking course at the University of Hail (UoH). The study was conducted during the first semester of the academic year 2015-16. Data were collected from 37 female students at the Department of English using an attitudinal questionnaire and Semi-structured interviews in order to validate the study and elicit elaborate responses regarding the benefits of Bb, the challenges the participants' faced and the suggestions they have for change and improvement. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that students generally had positive attitudes towards using Bb particularly because they found it helpful in improving their language skills and the student-instructor communication. Still, issues such as improving student-student communication and course design on Bb need further attention.

The Impact of Virtual Classes on Second Language Interaction in the Saudi EFL Context: A Case Study of Saudi Undergraduate Students

“…A lack of practice, specifically when there are limited opportunities to interact in English, is perhaps one reason why many researchers have found that EFL learners' speaking abilities are often quite low compared to their listening, reading, and writing skills (Al-Jabry, Salahuddin, & Al-Shazly, 2014;Hamouda, 2020;Hussein 2016). Hussein (2016) and others (Al-Jabry et al, 2014) have suggested that the limited opportunities for learners to practice speaking may be one of the explanations for learners' relatively low speaking abilities Virtual EFL classrooms and online learning (also known as e-learning) offer a potential solution to these and other challenges. Virtual classrooms can enable learners' interactions with teachers as well as between the learners themselves.…”

“…Virtual classrooms can enable learners' interactions with teachers as well as between the learners themselves. Indeed, much of the recent research in the EFL domain has attended to the possible benefits of virtual learning environments for English learners (Bianchi, Yyelland, Yang & McHarg, 2019;Hamouda, 2020;Hussein, 2016;McBrien, Cheng, & Jones., 2009). Nevertheless, along with the potential utility of e-learning environments, it is also important to carefully consider whether online learning environments can be as effective as traditional classrooms (Hamouda, 2020).…”

Investigating Readiness for Acceptance of Change for the Adoption of Blackboard LMS at Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

“…Both these studies have given evidence of a positive attitude held by the Saudi Faculty and the students towards the Blackboard LMS. Besides, there are also other studies (Hussein, 2011;Al-Khalifa, 2012;Choudhury, 2015;Hussein, 2016) which have examined various other variables with respect to Blackboard and online LMSs in Saudi Arabia universities.…”

Blackboard as a Motivator for Saudi EFL Students: A Psycholinguistic Study

“…Researchers focused on attitudes and perceptions (Al Zumor et al, 2013;Ja'ashan, 2015;Alaidarous & Madini, 2016) and as improving listening and speaking skills (Hussein, 2016).…”