Evaluating Iraqi EFL Students’ Performance via the Use of Virtual Platforms: An Analysis of Communication Approach, Digital Competencies, and Teachers’ Preparedness

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research article

Authors
E. Sobati 1
M. Fakher Salomi 2
T. Afshar 3
1 Assistance Prof, Dept. of English Language, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran
2 College of Administration and Economy, Mustansiriyah University, Iraq. MA Candidate, Dept. of English Language, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran.
3 Associate Prof, Dept. of English Language, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran
Abstract
Virtual platforms can be an effective tool for evaluating students' performance. However, their success depends on the effective use of digital tools, teacher preparedness, and the adoption of appropriate communication approaches. The current research aimed at scrutinizing the relation between the digital competencies of English Language Teachers (ELT) of three Universities of Misan, Baghdad, and Mustansiriyah with the usage of digital tools for distance teaching during the contingency of COVID-19 in the academic year 2020-2021. The study is a quantitative type accompanied with a correlational scope and a non-experimental cross-sectional design. 98 ELT teachers participated in the study. Two instruments were applied to carry out the gathering of information; these instruments were Likert surveys sent through Google Forms, one had 17 items and was aimed to measure the use of the digital tools, while the other had 20 items and was aimed to measure the digital competencies. The overall conclusions of the study revealed the existence of a strong positive correlation between the level of digital competencies and the use of digital tools in the professors of the University of Misan, University of Baghdad, and University of Mustansiriyah, the professors of these schools mentioned a strong trend to always use the digital tools in their pedagogical tasks. The differences found probably were influenced by other variables that are not part of the target in this study such as age, working experience, among others.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 13 July 2025