Students’ Perspectives on Pre-recorded Video Lectures Versus Video-Conferencing Lectures in the Untact Era

The purpose of this study is to examine students’ perspectives on two online learning formats: pre-recorded video lectures versus video-conferencing. There were 90 participants who took College English courses in a university in Seoul. Participants took TOEIC tests before taking the classes and were divided into two different proficiency level groups: a high-level group and a low-level group. All participants studied English via both pre-recorded video lectures and video-conferencing (Zoom) for the whole semester. Questionnaires were carried out to explore students’ perspectives on both online formats in accordance with their proficiency levels. The findings of the closed-ended questionnaires revealed that significant differences were not found between the low- and high-level groups regardless of the online learning formats. Regarding students’ perspectives about these online English formats, a statistical difference was not found between the two groups. It is worth noting that students did not show any significantly different perspectives concerning online courses regardless of their proficiency levels. As for the open-ended questionnaires, both groups noted various benefits and drawbacks of the current online learning platforms. Also, they provided constructive suggestions for these online learning formats. The results of this study have pedagogical implications for carrying out successful online courses.