Open AccessTechnology in ELT: Iranian EFL Teachers’ Perception towards Using Fotobabble in English Classes
Author(s) -
Hamid Ashraf,
Bahman Kazemi,
Sara Kazemi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
language teaching research quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2667-6753
DOI - 10.32038/ltrq.2017.04.03
Subject(s) - perception , globe , the internet , mathematics education , english language , psychology , computer science , qualitative property , qualitative research , teaching english , pedagogy , world wide web , sociology , social science , neuroscience , machine learning
Teaching with technology has gained attention around the globe and internet use has become an integral part of teaching. Web- based tools are used in language classes to enhance interaction among learners and increase learning and teaching opportunity. Thus, the aims of this study are to introduce fotobabble which is a web tool that can be used in English language classes for teaching purposes, and to know the Iranian EFL teachers’ perception towards it. To collect data, 30 EFL teachers teaching at schools and private English institutes were randomly selected and their attitudes and opinions were investigated through semi- structured interviews. The participants were sent via telegram and e- mail an informative text about fotobabble and then were asked to talk about their opinions about its benefits and merits in language classes. The collected qualitative data was analyzed by means of content analysis and it was revealed that the majority of Iranian EFL teachers had a positive attitude towards the use of this web- based tool in their classes; however, a few number of teachers shared their concerns about its application in English classes. It is believed that studies about technology use in classes can help increase effective teaching and learning.