Understanding Blended Learning from Students’ Perspectives: Challenges and Opportunities in Saudi Undergraduate Settings

Abstract

This study explores Saudi EFL students’ perceptions on the implementation of blended learning (BL) at a Saudi university context. The study highlights two key aspects of BL in terms of challenges and benefits that influence BL in EFL classrooms. In other words, how do students recognize the impact of BL quality from their perspectives. Two main instruments were used: questionnaire and semi-structured interview. The data were collected from (N=32) Saudi male and female students from a Saudi university. The results of this study indicate that students show a positive attitude towards the BL approach. However, the findings reveal that students in their classrooms perceived many challenges in terms of implementing approach. Two main sources of difficulties were constantly identified: challenges initiated by students in terms of lack of technology competence to learn in BL environment and challenges initiated by the educational system in terms of teachers’ lack of suitable training. These issues were most significant in the results in relation to implementing BL in Saudi contexts.