The Transforming Role and Benefits of Online Platforms in the EFL Classroom Before and During Emergency Remote Teaching

The Transforming Role and Benefits of Online Platforms in the EFL Classroom Before and During Emergency Remote Teaching

Stachus Peter Tu

Hiroshima Bunkyo University

This video presentation reports on the effect of online platforms on teaching and research-related pressures experienced by an EFL lecturer at three Japanese universities before and during the coronavirus pandemic. This is explored by describing the transforming role of the two online platforms: Google Classroom learning management system and LINE messaging application, during three different times. The narrative begins by describing their supporting role in the face-to-face classroom in 2019. Next is a discussion of their primary role in online courses during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. This progresses to a description of the highly-integrated role of the online platforms during the gradual return to face-to-face courses in 2021. In a reflection of the roles of the online platforms during these three different times, there is evidence that an increased reliance upon online platforms during online courses and subsequent revival of face-to-face courses results in more time for the lecturer to provide one-to-one attention to students, more consistent submission of classwork by students, and more time and flexibility for the lecturer to conduct research. In light of this, the narrative concludes with guidance for those teaching English in the university environment, outlining how online platforms may alleviate stressful teaching and research-related pressures that are commonly associated with the university environment.