THE PERCEPTIONS OF SELECTED GHANAIAN LANGUAGE TEACHERS ABOUT VIRTUAL TEACHING AND LEARNING DURING CRISES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61307/gjl.v12i2.685Keywords:
virtual learning, , language teaching, ', Teacher's perceptions,Abstract
In March 2020, Ghana responded to the WHO's declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by implementing restrictions on face-to-face teaching. This led to the widespread adoption of Virtual Teaching and Learning (VTL) across tertiary educational institutions in the country. While some institutions fully embraced VTL, others saw it as a temporary measure until face-to-face teaching resumed. This study examines language teachers' perceptions of VTL during this period, focusing on the Communication Studies Department of Sunyani Technical University, with 10 participants selected through purposive sampling. The research used a mixed method approach, collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. Content analysis was applied to qualitative data, while quantitative data were analyzed using Excel. Results revealed that 80% of participants had positive perceptions of VTL, while the remaining 20% expressed concerns about challenges such as policy guidelines, motivation, internet connectivity, data allocation, and technical issues that need addressing for VTL to be fully embraced.
References
Asiri, Mohammed; Mahmud, Rosnaini; Bakar, Kamariah Abu; and Mohd Ayub, Ahmad Fauzi.
“Factors Influencing the Use of Learning Management System in Saudi
Arabian Higher Education: A Theoretical Framework.” Higher Education Studies
(2):125-137. https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v2n2p125.
Auma, Monica Otieno; and Achieng, Joan Ochieng. 2020. “Perception of Teachers on Effectiveness of Online Learning in the Wake of Covid-19 Pandemic.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science 25(6):19-28.
Basak, Sujit Kumar; Wotto, Marguerite; and Bélanger, Paul. 2018. “E-Learning, M- Learning and D-Learning: Conceptual Definition and Comparative Analysis.” E- Learning and Digital Media 15(4):191–216. DOI: 10.1177/2042753018785180.
Beaven, Tita; Emke, Martina.; Ernest, Pauline; Germain-Rutherford, Aline; Hampel, Regine; Hopkins, Joseph E; Stanojevic, Mateusz-Milan; and Stickler, Ursula. 2010.
“Needs and Challenges for Online Language Teachers - the ECML Project DOTS.” Teaching English with Technology. A Journal for Teachers of English 10(2):5–20.
Bordoloi, Ritimoni; Das, Prasenjit; and Das, Kandarpa. 2021. “Perception Towards Online/Blended Learning at the Time of Covid-19 Pandemic: An Academic Analytics in the Indian Context.” Asian Association of Open Universities Journal 16(1):41-60.
Ghana News Agency. 2020. Successful testing regime and controls inform lifting of lockdown. Issued April 20 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2021 (https://newsghana.com.gh/successful-testingregime-and-controls-inform-lifting- of-
lockdown/.)
Hrastinski, Stefan. 2008. “Asynchronous and Synchronous E-learning.” Educause Quarterly 4:51-55
Floyd, Deborah L. 2003. “Distance Learning in Community Colleges: Leadership Challenges for
Change and Development.” Community College Journal of Research and Practice
(4):337-347.
Hoppe, H. U., Joiner, R., Milrad, M., and Sharples, M. 2003. “Guest Editorial: Wireless and
Mobile Technologies in Education.” Journal of Computer Assisted Learning
(3):255–259.
Ji, Hyangeun; Park, Soyeon; and Shin, Hye Won. 2022. “Investigating the Link Between Engagement, Readiness, and Satisfaction in a Synchronous Online Second Language Learning Environment.” System 105. Doi:10.1016/j.system.2022.102720.
Kenu, Ernest; Frimpong, Joseph A; and Koram, Kwadwo A. 2020. “Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ghana.” Ghana Medical Journal 54(2):72-73. doi:10.4314/gmj.v54i2.1.
Kulal, Abhinandan; and Nayak, Anupama. 2020. “A Study on Perception of Teachers and Students toward Online Classes in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District.” Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, 15(3):285- 296. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAOUJ-07-2020-0047.
Mahyoob, Mohammad. 2020. “Challenges of E-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Experienced by EFL Learners.” Arab World English Journal, 11(4):351-362. DOI:
https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol11no4.23.
Moorhouse, Benjamin L., and Beaumont, AndrewM. 2020. “Utilizing Video Conferencing
Software to Teach Young Language Learners in Hong Kong during the COVID‐19
Class Suspensions.” TESOL Journal 11(3):1-6. Doi:10.1002/tesj.545.
Rivera, Joel Laffita. 2009. “Blended Learning-Effectiveness and Application in Teaching and Learning Foreign Languages.” Open Journal of Modern Languages 9(2):129-144. doi: 10.4236/ojml.2019.92013.
Schlosser, Lee Ayers; and Simonson, M. 2006. Distance Education: Definition and Glossary of
Terms, 2nd ed. Greenwich, Co: Information Age Publishing
Owusu, Edward; Arthur, Jones Lewis, and Amofah, Kwaku. 2023. “Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies in the Digital Era: A Bibliometric Analysis.” Virtual Economics 6(2):55-71.
Tabiri, Michael Owusu; Jones-Mensah, Ivy; Fenyi, Daniel Arkoh; and Asunka, Stephen. 2022. “Challenges of Online Learning of English/French Language in Higher Education in Ghana.” Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies 18(1):207-222. Doi: 10.52462/jlls.176.
Tao, Jian; and Gao, Xuesong Andy. 2022. “Teaching and Learning Languages Online: Challenges and Responses.” Systems 107:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2022.102819.
Van Beek, Micheal. 2011. Introduction: What Is “Virtual Learning”? Retrieved June 10, 2021(https://www.mackinac.org/14475).
Victoria State Government. 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2021 (www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/support/Pages/elearningcurriculum.p x).
Wang, Cai-Yu; Zhang, Yuan-Yuan; and Chen, Shih-Chih. 2021. “The Empirical Study of College Students’ E-Learning Effectiveness and Its Antecedents Toward the COVID-19 Epidemic Environment.” Frontiers in Psychology 12:1-14 DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2021.573590.
Watson, John T; Gayer, Michelle; and Connolly, Maire A. 2007. “Epidemics after Natural Disasters” Emerging Infectious Diseases 13(1):1-5 https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1301.060779.
World Health Organisation (WHO). 2020. WHO Coronavirus Disease (COVID-2019) Situation Reports. Retrieved April 2, 2021 (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus2019/situation- reports).
Yi, Young-Suk; and Jang, Jin-Ho. 2020. “Envisioning Possibilities Amid the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Implications from English Language Teaching in South Korea.” TESOL Journal 11(3):1-5. Doi: 10.1002/tesj.543.
Downloads
Published
Versions
- 02/16/2024 (3)
- 02/10/2024 (2)
- 02/09/2024 (1)
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Edward Owusu
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The Ghana Journal of Linguistics is published by the Linguistics Association of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 61, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
LAG Email: linguisticsgh@gmail.com. Website: http://www.laghana.org
GJL Email: gjl@laghana.org Website: http://www.laghana.org/gjl
© Linguistics Association of Ghana and individual authors, 2023.
