Preservice EFL Teachers’ Use of Symbaloo as a Learning Path to Create Online Activities

Abstract

This study investigated pre-service EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers' experience in creating online learning resources for fourth-grade level learners. Several groups of students created digital content and activities for the elective course ‘Materials Design in Teaching English’. The study followed the case study research design. At the very beginning of the study, the participants were surveyed on their choice regarding the level and the coursebook for which they would prepare the online/digital materials. Based on the decision of the majority, it was decided that they would consider the fourth graders in the primary school. The participants created online activities based on the objectives of each specific unit and presented their activities to their classmates. Each group of students shared their comments and suggestions regarding the content and the design of the activities, as well as their experience while designing and creating these online activities. The findings indicated that the students found creating digital content for teaching EFL enjoyable despite several challenges, such as learning how to create digital content and working online. The students also underscored the importance of the efforts and time required to plan, create, integrate, and organize the materials and websites. The study also implied that pre-service language teachers could improve their digital skills and self-efficacy through the courses integrated into teacher training programs.