Improving Online Teaching Using Teams and a Learning Management System (Moodle)

Abstract

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (the new coronavirus infection), I taught online classes using Microsoft (MS)Teams in English classes beginning in May of 2020. In this study, I will discuss the results of online learning by conducting an Internet survey in English classes with 85 Japanese college students. I will consider the issues and challenges of online English courses. I found that learners' English proficiency (reading and listening) improved. This suggests that learning at your own pace by stopping and reviewing ondemand materials might deepen learners' understanding and promoted learning. Thus, MS Teams proved to be useful. This paper also reports an attempt to facilitate online learning with quizzes related to course lectures. Furthermore, the LMS (Moodle) proved useful for providing opportunities for learners to exchange opinions, support each other during periods of isolation, and maintain concentration.