Attitudes towards Online Learning: Insights from Iranian EFL Lecturers and Postgraduate Students across Educational Levels

نویسندگان
doi
چکیده

Online learning has become a crucial aspect of contemporary education. This study has attempted to investigate the viewpoints of Iranian EFL lecturers and postgraduate students on online learning and the impact of level of education on their attitudes towards this variable. It employed a mixed-method approach, with a sample of 40 EFL lecturers from Azad Universities in Isfahan and Fars provinces, along with 100 postgraduate students (40 PhD students and 60 MA students) studying English Language Teaching at Islamic Azad Universities in Isfahan and Fars provinces. Participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a researcher-made online questionnaire and a structured interview protocol designed by the researcher. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal- Wallis and Mann-Whitney non-parametric tests. The viewpoints of Iranian EFL lecturers and postgraduate students were investigated through descriptive statistics of questionnaire and interview, and the impact of level of education on their attitude was shown by non-parametric tests. The findings revealed that Iranian EFL lecturers and postgraduate students hold positive viewpoints on online learning and the respondents' level of education significantly affects their attitudes towards online learning. This study has both theoretical and practical implications for education officials, EFL teachers and learners.