Effects of Google Meet as an Online Application on Pupils’ Critical Thinking and Communicative Competencies: Case of Second Year EFL Pupils at ‘Maghni Sandid Mohamed Secondary School’ in Ain-Temouchent

Abstract

The demand of e-learning has dramatically increased in the last few years since it is believed to supply learners with skills beyond what the traditional classroom offers, especially in EFL classrooms where the focus is put on communicative and critical thinking abilities. This research work aims to test the effect of online learning -through Google Meet platform- on pupils’ critical thinking and communicative abilities in the Algerian secondary education taking into account the potential obstacles that teachers and pupils may face. It also seeks to investigate how Google Meet can effectively be implemented to assure a successful integration of online learning and enhance pupils’ critical thinking and communicative competencies. To reach this aim, a total number of 41 pupils and two English teachers participated in this study. A triangulation of research instruments encompassing an online classroom observation, an interview and a questionnaire were used. The collected data were analysed through the mixed-methods approach. Therefore, the results indicated that Google Meet as an online application can be implemented and can also intensify the pupils’ critical thinking and communicative abilities depending on several measurements, among them the teacher’s digital skills and the in-class reinforcement. Moreover, its future establishment requires serious pedagogical, cultural and technological considerations