Συστήματα διαχείρισης μάθησης & σχολική εξ αποστάσεως ξενόγλωσση εκπαίδευση

Abstract

The particular economic, geographical and social conditions in Greece have formed an educational system facing multiple challenges and problems that hinder the work of educators. However, the rapid rise of the Internet and the technological breakthroughs scored in recent decades offer new ways of teaching that can solve or at least severely mitigate problems. This research paper investigates the perceptions, attitudes and feelings of foreign-language teachers regarding distance teaching through the use of Learning Management Systems (LMS). We focus on whether the use of LMS can support and help teachers to promote distance learning in schools. The target popultion of our research is foreign-language teachers appointed in Greek public schools. Our research findings reveal that the teachers are eager and willing to use LMS, regardless of age, professional experience or familiarity with new technologies. They consider such a teaching approach capable of solving many problems in foreign language public education. Yet, they exhibit strong discontent and disappointment at the Greek educational system, emphasizing that it is almost impossible for such efforts to take root. Of great importance are also the findings related to the problems that educators believe they will face in using LMS. The educators’ feelings of disappointment and the inadequacy for the educational system to promote such efforts notwithstanding, still they themselves continue to be trained and informed and believe that the implementation foreign-language distance learning in schools will greatly promote the teaching of foreign languages and will improve their educational work.