ICT Obstacles and Challenges Faced by English Language Learners During the Coronavirus Outbreak in Jordan

Abstract

During the Coronavirus outbreak, the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become a necessity, as ICT use in education is a systematic and structured process to improve the quality of education in Jordan. This study aimed at investigating the obstacles and challenges faced by English language students at Jadara University in Jordan while using e-learning programs during the school suspension. To achieve the aim of the study, this qualitative investigation has made use of convenience sample. Twelve students were chosen for a focused group interview where they were requested to answer questions concerning the constraining factors that they experienced while learning through ICT platforms. The findings show that students’ responses revealed three themes, namely, lack of effective training, lack of accessibility, and inconsistent teaching styles of instructors. Some of the recommendations suggested are that further research needs to be conducted into the speech acts used by Jordanians on different social networking platforms. Although barriers were significant, this paper recommended additional institutional support for online learning and increased technical and pedagogical training for students.