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computers and sending their assignments to instructors through online tools, or instructors sending the students
course reading lists or work assignments with little feedback of student works Boulton et al, 2008.
In the case of virtual learning at IAIN Antasari, particularly at English Department, it has not been much
identified to what extent students make use of the available virtual learning environment VLE for increasing their
knowledge, skills, motivation, and autonomy to learn English. Therefore, in order to find out more about how
students utilize VLE and what impacts it has on student learning, the writer will conduct a research enitiled
“Investigating The Impacts of Virtual Learning Environment VLE on EFL Learners at English
Department IAIN Antasari Banjarmasin.”
B. Statements of problem
The following are statements of problem which have been formulated for this research.
1. What impacts does VLE have on language learning?
Does it positively affect language learning in general or in learning certain subject at English Department?
Does it enhance learner motivation?
2. To what extent does it lead to students‟ autonomy in
learning? 3.
What other benefits do the students perceive of learning through VLE?
4. What are the constraints of learning through VLE?
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C. Definition of key terms
1. Investigating: researching or finding out what happened
2. Impacts: influences or effects
3. EFL : English as a Foreign Language
4. EFL learners: students who live in a non-English
speaking country and learn English as a foreign language. In this research the students are those who
study at English Department Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training IAIN Antasari Banjarmasin.
5. Virtual Learning environment VLE:
a virtual classroom that allows teachers and students to
communicate with each other online. Class information, learning materials, and assignments are provided via the
Web. Students can log in to the class website to view this information and may also download assignments
and required reading materials to their computers. Some VLEs also allow assignments and tests to be completed
online http:techterms.comdefinitionvle. In this research VLE is limited to asynchronous learning by
using web tool Edmodo.
D. Research Purpose
In general the research is conducted with aims to explain the current usage and practices of virtual learning at
English department. To be more specific, the aims are: 1.
To investigate the impacts of VLE on student learning 2.
To find out whether VLE can enhance student motivation and autonomy in learning
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3. To gain more information about the benefits of VLE
from students‟ point of views 4.
To identify the constraints encountered by students in using VLE
E. Research significance
