Online vs. face-to-face: Motivating and demotivating factors in an EAP writing course

Abstract

Although motivating and demotivating factors have been established for second language learners in face-to-face classes, it is not clear how these factors relate to students in online learning contexts. By analyzing open-ended questionnaire responses, we examined similarities and differences between students’ self-reported motivational factors in online and face-to-face versions of the same undergraduate EAP writing course. We discovered four major differences: social/interaction, convenience and flexibility, the new/fun/interesting/ easy expectation, and the frustration factor.