Exploring EFL Students' Attitudes towards the Use of Google Meet Sessions during the COVID-19 Pandemic The case of Master One Students of English at Mohamed Khider University of Biskra

Abstract

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions worldwide have faced challenges in delivering quality education while ensuring the safety of students. The University of Biskra, like many others, implemented online learning platforms, such as Google Meet, to facilitate remote teaching and learning. This study aims to investigate the attitudes of English as foreign language learners at the University of Biskra towards the use of Google Meet sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research focuses on the students' perception of the effectiveness of Google Meet in promoting their autonomy and responsibility for their own learning. It seeks to determine whether the use of this online platform has motivated students to take more ownership of their education and to what extent they rely on their teachers for learning support. To gather data and gain insights, a descriptive study employing a qualitative approach was conducted. The study involved a focus group of eight foreign language students of english and distributing questionnaires to twenty students as well to foreign language students of English from the University of Biskra. The findings of the study indicate that students have demonstrated negative attitudes towards the use of Google Meet sessions. They agree that this online learning method has not contributed to the improvement of students' autonomy and language skills. The results highlight the advantages and disadvantages of integrating online platforms like Google Meet into university classes in Algeria to enhance English language learning. Overall, this study sheds light on students' perceptions and attitudes towards the use of Google Meet sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes the importance of incorporating online learning tools to support students' autonomy and language development in the future