Investigating The Role Of Information And Communication Technology Ict In Promoting Efl Learners' Independent Learning

Résumé: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has a significant role in improving English language learning by providing unlimited modern and motivational tools and devices. The main purpose of this study is to investigate teachers' and students' perceptions towards the role of ICT in promoting EFL learners' independent learning, also this study seeks to highlight the relationship between second-year students' use of ICT tools in their learning and their actual degree of independent learning. Another aim of this research is to shed light on the challenges and barriers that prevent the successful integration of ICT in education as well as the obstacles that hinder its use for independent learning. Thus we hypothesize that students and teachers have positive attitudes towards the effectiveness of ICT in promoting independent learning, but they are both facing various difficulties that prevent them from using these tools in an effective and successful way. To test this hypothesis a questionnaire has been designed to second-year students and another one to second year teachers at the department of English language of Oum El Bouaghi University. Results have shown positive attitudes from both samples, but they are truly facing difficulties in the process of using Technology for independent learning purposes. The majority of both samples attributed these challenges to the lack of training and also the lack of ICT equipment. To conclude this study attempts to expand teachers and students' awareness towards the necessity of independent learning and to highlight solutions to successfully integrate ICTs in Algerian Universities.

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