Attitudes of English Language Teachers of Elementary Schools towards the Implementation of Flipped Classroom Learning Strategy during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Qalqilia Governorate
Date
2021-04-08
Authors
Fanounna, Khloud
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
جامعة النجاح الوطنية
Abstract
The sudden transition from face-to-face learning environment into flipped classroom due to the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the education process. Thereby, this study intended to investigate the attitudes of English language teachers of elementary schools towards the implementation of flipped classroom learning strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the study examined the role of gender, qualification, years of experience, number of training courses, and place of graduation on teachers’ attitudes.
To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher used the descriptive method by developing a questionnaire which consists of 32 items and a semi-structured interview consisting of 5 questions. Due to the difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Google online form was used to distribute the questionnaire. As for the interview, WhatsApp and Messenger applications were used to collect data. The population of the study consisted of 97 English foreign language teachers of elementary schools from Qalqilia Governorate during the second semester of the scholastic year 2020-2021. Sixty-one participants responded to the questionnaire and 20 participated in the interview.
The results of the study showed that (75%) of EFL teachers have a positive attitude towards the implementation of flipped classroom during the pandemic. However, there were no statistically significant differences at (α ≤ 0.05) in regards to the variables. The study also revealed that although there are positive attitudes towards the flipped classroom strategy, face-to-face classes are irreplaceable for their essential importance. It was suggested that the flipped classroom can be conducted under urgent circumstances.
In the light of the results, the researcher offered some recommendations to the main contributors of the education process. These recommendations included the importance of implementing other studies to compare between public schools and private ones which are using the flipped classroom strategy during to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Also, studies should be conducted in other regions with different samples. The researcher believes that adding activities related to the flipped classroom in each unit of the curriculum is necessary.