INVESTIGATING ONLINE EFL ASSESSMENT CHALLENGES: TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN SAUDI ARABIA

نوع المستند : المقالة الأصلية

المؤلف

English Department, College of Education, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia

المستخلص

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes and challenges in language teaching and learning  in  almost  every  country  worldwide.  Many countries have effectively embraced various online teaching platforms for language teaching tasks. However, one challenging aspect of online teaching for many teachers is the online assessment task. This study examines teachers' perceptions of online EFL assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. A survey research design is adopted for the study. To this end, quantitative data were collected using a closed- and- open-ended questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that teachers exhibited positive perceptions towards online assessment because it is  easy  to  be administered and marked. It also saves teachers’ time and effort and provides instant feedback for students, allowing them to improve their performance. Moreover, teachers positively perceived online formative assessments because they allow students to develop their learning skills. Furthermore, the study's findings posed some challenges faced by teachers while giving online EFL assessments. It is challenging to ascertain its credibility as several technical factors affect the smooth evaluation process. Therefore, some recommendations are forwarded for further studies and practitioners.

الكلمات الرئيسية


  1. Abduh, M. Y. M. (2021). Full-time  online  assessment  during  COVID-19 lockdown: EFL teachers’ perceptions. Asian EFL Journal, 28(1.1), 26–46.

    Alahmadi, N., Alrahaili, M., & Alshraideh, D. (2019). The impact of the formative assessment in speaking test on Saudi students’ performance. Arab World English Journal  (AWEJ)  Volume,  10(1),  259-270.

    https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vo l10no1.22

    Alashwal, M. (2020). The experience of Saudi students with online learning in US Universities.  Higher Education Research, 5(1), 31–36.

    Algethami, G. (2022). Teachers’ perspectives towards teaching English online at the tertiary level in Saudi Arabia. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) 2nd Special Issue on Covid,  19(2),  317–328.

    https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/covid2.21

    Algraini, F. N. (2023). Saudi EFL University Instructors’ Perceptions of Online Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 14(3), 799-807.

    Alharbi, A. S., & Meccawy, Z. (2020). Introducing Socrative as a tool for formative assessment in Saudi EFL classrooms. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ),  11(3),                                                                     372–384.

    https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vo l11no3.23

    Al-Hoorie, A. H. (2017). Sixty Years of Language Motivation Research: Looking Back and Looking Forward. SAGE Open, 7(1), 2158244017701976.

            https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244017701976

    Aljaber, A. A. M. (2021). The reality of using smartphone applications for learning in higher education in Saudi Arabia [Doctoral dissertation]. University  of Glasgow.

    Al-Jarf, R. (2020). Distance learning and undergraduate Saudi students’ agency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov, Series IV: Philology & Cultural Studies, 13(2), 37–54.

    Alkhalaf, S. A. (2021). Online learning of English phonology in Saudi Arabia: Investigating college students’ perceptions  during  the  pandemic  period. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 17(3), [1513]-1526.

         https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.221913020121480

    Almekhlafy, S. S. A. (2020). Online learning of English language courses via blackboard at Saudi universities in the era of COVID-19: perception and use. PSU Research Review, 5(1), 16–32. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRR-08-2020-0026

    Al-Nofaie, H. (2020). Saudi University Students’ perceptions towards virtual education During Covid-19 PANDEMIC: A case study of language learning via Blackboard.  Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume, 11(3), 4–20. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vo l11no3.1

    Al-Nuaim, H. A. (2012). The Use of Virtual Classrooms in E-learning: A Case Study in King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. E-Learning and Digital Media, 9(2), 211–222. https://doi.org/10.2304/elea.2012.9.2.211

    Alotaibi, K. A. (2019). Teachers’ Perceptions on Factors Influence Adoption of Formative Assessment. Journal of Education and Learning, 8(1), 74–86.

    Alruwais, N., Wills, G., & Wald, M. (2018). Advantages and challenges of using e-assessment. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 8(1), 34–37.

    Al-Samiri, R. A. (2021). English language teaching in Saudi Arabia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and positive outcomes. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on Covid, 19(1), 147–159.

     

     

    Alsowayegh, N. H., Bardesi, H. J., Ibrahim, G., & Sipra, M. (2019). Engaging students through blended learning activities to augment listening and speaking. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on CALL, 5, 267–288. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call5

    Alsubaiai, H. S. (2021). Teachers’ Perception towards Formative Assessment in Saudi Universities’ Context: A Review of Literature. English Language Teaching, 14(7), 107–116.

    Alsuhaibani, Z. (2021). Saudi EFL students’ use and perceptions of Blackboard before and during online learning amid COVID-19. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on CALL, 7, 22–37.

    https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call7.2

    Al-Wassia,  R.,  Hamed,  O.,  Al-Wassia,  H.,  Alafari,  R.,  &  Jamjoom, R. (2015). Cultural challenges to implementation of formative assessment in  Saudi Arabia: An exploratory study. Medical Teacher, 37(sup1), S9–S19.

               https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2015.1006601

    Alzamil, A. (2021). Teaching English speaking online versus face-to-face: Saudi students’ experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arab World English Journal                                (AWEJ)  Volume,  12(1),  19-27.

    https://doi.org/https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol12no1.2

    Brown, G. T. L. (2004). Teachers’ conceptions of assessment: implications for policy and professional development. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice,  11(3), 301–318.

    https://doi.org/10.1080/0969594042000304609

    Brunfaut, T., & Harding, L. (2018). Teachers Setting the Assessment (Literacy) Agenda: A Case Study of a Teacher-Led National Test Development Project in Luxembourg. In D. Xerri & P. Vella Briffa (Eds.), Teacher Involvement in High-Stakes Language Testing (pp. 155–172). Springer International Publishing.  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319 -77177-9_9

    Chatta, B. S., Haque, M. I., & Rao, M. (2022). Perceptions of University Faculty of Saudi Arabia towards Online Classes Conducted during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Arab World English Journal, 2, 258–280.

               https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/covid2.17

    Creswell, J. W. (2012). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage.

    Dahmash, N. Bin. (2020). I couldn’t join the session’: Benefits and challenges of blended learning amid COVID-19 from EFL students. International Journal of English            Linguistics, 10(5), 221–230.

    https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5539/ijel.v10n5p221

    Davis, D. S., & Neitzel, C. (2011). A Self-Regulated Learning Perspective on Middle Grades Classroom Assessment. The Journal of Educational Research, 104(3), 202–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671003690148

    Enkin, E., & Mejías-Bikandi, E. (2017). The effectiveness of online teaching in an advanced Spanish language course. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 27(1), 176–197. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/ijal.12112

    Gacs, A., Goertler, S., & Spasova, S. (2020). Planned online language education versus crisis-prompted online language teaching: Lessons for the future. Foreign            Language Annals,  53(2), 380–392.

    https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12460

    Hakim, B. (2015). English language teachers’ ideology of ELT assessment literacy. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 3(4), 42–48.

    https://doi.org/https://journals.aiac.org.au/index.php/IJELS/article/view/1954

    Hakim, B. (2020). Technology-integrated online classrooms and  the  challenges faced by the EFL teachers in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature, 9(5), 33–

    1. 39. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.9n.5p.33

    Iskandar, N., Ganesan, N., & Maulana, N. (2021). Students' perception towards the usage of online assessment in University Putra Malaysia amidst the COVID- 19 pandemic. Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science, 9(2), 9– 16.

    Kanaan, R., Masa’deh, R., & Gharaibeh, A. (2013). The impact of knowledge sharing enablers on knowledge sharing capability: An empirical study on Jordanian telecommunication firms. European Scientific Journal, 9(22), 237–258.  https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2013.v9n22p%25p

    Khafaga, A. F. (2021). The perception of blackboard collaborate-based instruction by EFL majors/teachers amid COVID-19: A case study of Saudi universities. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 17(S2), 1160–1173.

               https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.141157722688441

    Khan, S., & Khan, R. A. (2019). Online assessments: Exploring perspectives of university students. Education and Information Technologies, 24(1), 661–677. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-018-9797-0

    Klatt,  G.,  Berry,  A.,  Suryani,  A.,  Volkoff,  V.,  &  Khadawardi,  H.  (2020). Investigation of Saudi teachers’ perceptions of teaching and learning after a 12-month         professional development        programme in  Australia.  Australian Journal            of Teacher Education  (Online),  45(7),  15–44.

    https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.526064696159213

    Kremmel, B., & Harding, L. (2020). Towards a Comprehensive, Empirical Model of Language Assessment Literacy across Stakeholder Groups: Developing the Language Assessment Literacy Survey. Language Assessment Quarterly, 17(1), 100–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/15434303.2019.1674855

    Mabrook, A. M., & Mabrook, A. (2020). Distant learning; Its impact on EFL students due to COVID-19, Onaizah colleges, Saudi  Arabia. International Journal of Contemporary Applied Researches, 7(8), 14–31.

    Mahyoob, M. (2020). Challenges of e-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic Experienced by EFL Learners. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), 11(4), 351-362.

    https://doi.org/https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol11no4.23

    Mäkipää, T., Hahl, K., & Luodonpää-Manni, M. (2021). Teachers’ perceptions of assessment and feedback practices in Finland’s foreign language classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. CEPS Journal, 11(Special Issue), 219–240.

    Masa'deh, R., Gharaibeh, A., Maqableh, M., & Karajeh, H. (2013). An empirical study of antecedents and outcomes of knowledge sharing capability in Jordanian telecommunication firms: A structural equation modelling approach. Life Science Journal, 10(4), 2284–2296.

    Moser, K. M., Wei, T., & Brenner, D. (2021). Remote teaching during COVID-19: Implications from a national survey of language educators. System, 97, 102431.

         https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2020.102431

    Muñoz, A. P., Palacio, M., & Escobar, L. (2012). Teachers’ beliefs about assessment in an EFL context in Colombia. Profile Issues in TeachersProfessional Development, 14(1), 143–158.

    Oraif, I., & Elyas, T. (2021). The Impact of COVID-19 on Learning: Investigating EFL Learners’ Engagement in Online Courses in Saudi Arabia. Education Sciences, 11(3), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11030099

    Rahman, M. M. (2020). Challenges and solutions of teaching English as a foreign language online during a global pandemic like  COVID-19:  Saudi  EFL teachers’ perspectives. Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University, 55(6), 1–9.

    Rana, S., & Zubair, R. (2019). The Reality of Continuous Assessment Strategies on Saudi Students’ Performance at University Level. English Language Teaching, 12(12), 132–142.

    https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v12n12p132

    Slack, R. & Priestley, M. (2023) Online learning and assessment during the Covid-19 pandemic: exploring the impact on undergraduate student well- being, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education,  48:3,  333-349,

           DOI: 10.1080/02602938.2022.2076804

    Tarhini, A., Elyas, T., Akour, M. A., & Al-Salti, Z. (2016). Technology, demographic characteristics and e-learning acceptance: A conceptual model based on extended technology acceptance model. Higher Education Studies, 6(3), 72–89. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/hes.v6n3p72

    Webber, K. L. (2012). The Use of Learner-Centered Assessment in US Colleges and Universities. Research in Higher Education, 53(2), 201–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-011-9245-0

    Weleschuk, A., Dyjur, P., & Kelly, P. (2019). Online Assessment in Higher Education. In Calgary AB Canada: University of Calgary. Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning Guide Series, University  of Calgary.

    Yandell, J. (2020). Learning under Lockdown: English teaching in the time of Covid-19.  Changing English, 27(3), 262–269.

    https://doi.org/10.1080/1358684X.2020.1779029