Exploring the perceptions of language learners towards using a learning management system (LMS) at an English preparatory school

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa, Hasan Ali Yücel Eğitim Fakültesi, Yabancı Diller Eğitimi Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2019

Tezin Dili: İngilizce

Öğrenci: Tunç Atalay Oğul

Danışman: Tuncer Can

Özet:

Learning management systems, which are sophisticated blended learning applications, have been extensively used in foreign language teaching and learning. These platforms are mainly designed for delivering language courses, reinforcing course content with supplementary tasks and activities, tracking and reporting learner progress online. Recently, these platforms have been widely adopted by the majority of language institutions including foreign language preparatory schools of universities in Turkey as a part of their language teaching programs. The present study aims to investigate the perceptions of language learners towards using a learning management system in foreign language learning. The study was conducted at an English preparatory school of a private university in Turkey. The mixed methods research design was used for the study. A five-point Likert scale survey was administered for the quantitative part and semi-structured interviews were made with the learners for the qualitative part of the research. For the quantitative analysis, the frequencies, percentages and medians of the survey responses were examined and for the qualitative analysis, some key themes obtained through the interviews were indexed. Finally, the quantitative and the qualitative findings were compared and interpreted. The results suggested that although the majority of the learners agreed that the LMS contributed to reinforce vocabulary, reading and listening skills and increase their course achievement, the common view was that, the LMS fell short of promoting independent learning, fostering communication and increasing motivation.