A STUDY ON EXPLORING STUDENTS’ USE OF OFF-TASK TECHNOLOGY IN PAKISTANI POSTGRADUATE ESL ONLINE CLASSROOMS

Abstract

This study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to explore how Pakistani postgraduate English as a Second Language (ESL) students use technology for non-academic purposes during online classes. The study investigated why students use technology off-task and its pros and cons. The data was collected through qualitative and quantitative methods while using an exploratory research design, with qualitative analysis conducted first, followed by the quantitative analysis. According to the findings, the majority of postgraduate ESL students used technology for entertainment purposes rather than for educational purposes, and this off-task technology use was found to be a significant distraction that hindered their ability to focus on online lectures. As a result, the study recommends that higher education institutions should take steps to provide professional development opportunities for online teaching to the respective teachers. Furthermore, the study suggests that the government of Pakistan should collaborate with
organizations such as HEC to devise an all-encompassing strategy with the goal of encouraging the productive use of off-task technology.