To Use It or Reject It? EFL Students’ Perceptions and Constraints of Using E-Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of e-learning as a tool to teach students has increased significantly. It forced the students to use e-learning to conduct learning activities. The sudden shift to using e-learning has brought several challenges to students. Therefore, this study explores the English Foreign Language (EFL) students’ perceptions toward the use of e-learning to study during the COVID-19 pandemic and its constraint by adapting the technology acceptance model (TAM) framework. A descriptive case study is carried out, with data gathered through questionnaires and interviews. The participants are EFL students from a university in a rural area in Indonesia. The data show that EFL students consider e-learning as a suitable approach to continue learning activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and decide to use e-learning for studying purposes. Students, however, face various challenges, including equipment that does not support remote learning, an unsupportive environment, and difficulties understanding courses. The result can be used as a reference for the institution staff or lecturers to create a better curriculum for distance learning. However, this research is limited by the number of participants. Other researchers are expected to cover wider participants from different areas in Indonesia. Several suggestions are proposed within this article, implications for practice and further research are also discussed.