Good learner’s features in EFL and Non-EFL online courses

Abstract

The current study attempted to compare the attitudes of IELTS students studying at an institute and nursing students at a university on the attributes and features of successful learners in online classes. For this purpose, three experienced university professors were interviewed and six themes were extracted: digital literacy, learner autonomy, initiative, motivation, learners’ attitude, and accountability. These themes were used in a questionnaire to ask about the attitudes of the two groups of the participants mentioned. The qualitative data on their in-depth ideas were collected via a section headed 'comment' in the questionnaire and interview of the participants. The results of the Chi-square tests of independence showed that both groups of students agreed on all features except attitudes and motivations. The result of the qualitative data analysis revealed that both groups were cognizant of the importance of these features to be successful and good students in online classes and without them, they could not make the best use of these classes. However, on the variables of attitude and motivations, contrary to students of institutes who had positive ideas, university students had negative motivations and attitudes about online classes. The findings can have implications for the parties involved.

Keywords: Good learners' features; online classes; perception,