Innovative Pedagogies: The Impact of Interactive Learning on EFL Students’ Attitudes and Individualized Learning Opportunities in HE

Abstract

The sudden transition from a face-to-face learning environment into a flipped classroom due to the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the education process (Fanounna, 2021). This study aims to examine the impact of adopting innovative pedagogies and interactive learning on developing EFL students’ attitudes toward learning the English language and to investigate how students feel about the effectiveness of interactive learning in developing individualized learning and a good learning process. In addition, the study aims to identify the most common challenges, that students face when using educational technology. To achieve the purposes of this study, the researcher developed a 5 Likert scale questionnaire consisting of three parts. The validity and the reliability of this instrument were tested and assured. The selected sample consisted of 112 freshman students distributed randomly in the two available sections at the Nablus branch of Al-Quds Open University during the second semester of the academic year 2022-2023. These two sections were randomly distributed into two groups, control and experimental. Therefore, the quasi-experimental method was used. The results of the study revealed that the interactive teaching/learning method had positively influenced students’ attitudes towards the English language. In addition, the results showed that the use of educational technologies offers a better opportunity to support individualized learning processes. Moreover, the results of the study revealed the most common difficulties and challenges associated with adopting interactive learning. Finally, the study recommended developing and including more interactive content and adopting new methodologies that focus on boosting language proficiency in HE in Palestine.