ITCs in English Language Teaching among Higher Education Studentes during the COVID 19 Pandemic

Abstract

Abstract: This study focuses on exploring the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on academic performance and English language learning among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the opportunities and challenges faced by students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Zone 4 of Ecuador. The focus of this research is on available technological resources, ranging from computer systems, the Internet, mobile applications, and websites, to language learning centers and platforms such as Zoom, Cisco Webex, Moodle, Google Meet, among others. The use of these tools during the COVID-19 pandemic is examined, highlighting how they have facilitated the work of teachers and students in the educational environment. The main objective is to assess the level of ICT knowledge to improve both teaching and self-learning of English. Through surveys conducted with 384 students from various universities in Manabí using Google Forms, strengths and weaknesses in the use of ICTs were identified. This analysis was carried out through an analytical-descriptive approach and quantitative analysis of the data collected through Likert-type closed questionnaires. The results highlight the importance of effectively using ICTs in university teaching to promote self-learning of English and address the digital divide in rural areas of Manabí. This approach contributes to improving the quality and equity of education in the region.

Keywords: ICTs, higher education, English, teaching, self-learning.