The current use of Google Classroom in EFL setting

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the current use of Google Classroom through the eyes of teachers and students in an EFL setting. More specifically, the study tried to find out the effectiveness of this online platform as a supplementary tool for Main Course class. Both teachers' and students' perceptions of using Google Classroom were explored. Additionally, the potential drawbacks of using Google Classroom were aimed to reveal. Throughout the study, 75 students in preparatory English programme and 2 EFL instructors participated. Mix method was employed. A questionnaire for students was carried out in order to obtain quantitative data and semi-structured interviews and open-ended questions were employed for the students and the teachers to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data was analysed through SPSS (v.22.0) and qualitative data was conducted via content analysis. The overall analysis of the elicited data presented several significant contributions of using Google Classroom as a supplementary tool in Main Course. Not only the teachers but also the students mostly held the view positively for blended learning. Lastly, the results clearly indicated that using Google Classroom was not completely free from challenges.