EFL in Synchronous Online Classes | Page 13

6 who added that there is a very high level of interaction between the teacher and the learner in synchronous online classes. Moreover, another study was conducted on the effectiveness of distance CLT on the learning outcomes of the students (Joo, Andrés & Shearer, 2014) and was stated that it can have a massively positive impact on the learners’ cognitive engagement as well as their communication skills. By the same token, a detailed analysis was conducted (Wallace, 2009) on the same topic; the effectiveness of distance learning on the learning outcomes of ‘challenged students’ through CLT based on their personal experiences, evaluation and final grades along with their parents’ feedback on the synchronous online course. Moreover, it was stated that learners built a stronger rapport with the teacher as the lesson was conducted individually and worked as a catalyst by enhancing their learning outcomes which made the class even more motivating and entertaining. Based on (Tuckman, 2007)’s research and the experiments that were conducted with students that are above as well as below average using all the features that could enhance their motivation and collaboration skills in task based online classrooms; he highlights that distance learning can greatly improve learners’ engagement as well as their performance in class if instructors implement the motivationally scaffolded adaptation of their material to make the lesson more entertaining and easier to deliver, especially with those that have additional difficulties. It was illustrated that both studies which covered the same content of material and had motivational scaffolding that consisted of entertaining task based activities which enhance on-going conversations to keep them engaged and on track contributed in the development of their learning process. At the end, the study was concluded by a statement which illustrates that both; above and below average