Abstract
The purpose of this study was three-fold: first, it aimed to develop a scale to shed light on English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ perceptions of using Mobile Social Network Sites (MSNSs) in language teaching and learning. To this end, a 36-item MSNSs Utility Perceptions Inventory (MUPI) was developed. Second, the current study made an attempt to investigate the construct validity and reliability of the MUPI through collecting data from 184 Iranian EFL teachers. The factorability of the data has been substantiated by running Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test of Sampling Adequacy (KMO) and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity. The results of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed a three-factor solution for the inventory items. Furthermore, it was deemed that the scale had a high level of internal consistency. Third, this study strove to explore EFL teachers’ perceptions of MSNSs use by analyzing the results of the administered scale. The findings showed that teachers put more emphasis on factor one (Advantages of MSNSs for Teaching and Learning) and factor three (Barriers to Using MSNSs for Teaching and Learning). The findings also indicated that approximately half of the teachers believed MSNSs allow them to have a more detailed, in depth conversation with their peers and colleagues in the course. Moreover, student distraction, insufficient Internet bandwidth/speed, and insufficient technical support for teachers were some barriers to using MSNSs in classrooms. It was also confirmed that developing communication skills, increasing communication, motivating students, and sharing feedback are some advantages of using MSNSs for teaching and learning. This study has some implications for EFL teachers, teacher educators, and syllabus designers to pay particular attention to the positive features of MSNSs and harness their pedagogical benefits in English language teaching and learning on the one hand, and teacher education courses on the other hand.

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Appendices
Appendix 1 Rotated factor matrix
Rotated factor matrixa | |||
---|---|---|---|
Factor | |||
1 | 2 | 3 | |
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to share feedback by posting messages to others. | .911 | ||
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to exchange TESL related information, knowledge and stories with teachers. | .900 | ||
MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) are useful for teaching English. | .886 | ||
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to receive professional support from teachers. | .882 | ||
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to increase communication between teachers. | .877 | ||
Students can improve their English skills through the use of MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp). | .871 | ||
Students can be motivated by the use of MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) in the classroom. | .870 | ||
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to be involved in a world of information. | .853 | .345 | |
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to develop communication skills. | .837 | ||
Social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) allows teachers to access online content more easily. | .828 | ||
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to give professional support to teachers. | .810 | ||
Social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) can better facilitate sharing of experiences, ideas and advice among professionals/peers. | .797 | ||
I am competent to use mobile-based materials in the classroom. | .795 | ||
I know how to integrate mobile resources into existing classroom curricula. | .785 | ||
I would like to use mobile-based materials and activities in my classroom as much as possible. | .757 | .414 | |
Students will be more attentive in mobile-assisted English language teaching classes. | .741 | .433 | |
I believe that the use of MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) increases students’ motivation. | .736 | ||
Students try harder when they are learning with technology. | .690 | ||
Social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) should be used as a means to connect with students beyond the classroom. | .680 | ||
I am confident using MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) as a social media as a teaching tool. | .664 | ||
It is easy to find ESL/EFL materials on the MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp). | .660 | ||
I believe that the use of MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) positively impacts student higher order thinking skills. | .607 | ||
Internet resources can replace textbooks. | .485 | .341 | |
I feel more comfortable sharing and discussing my ideas on MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) than I do in a traditional face-to-face classroom. | .828 | ||
MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) allow me to comment and discuss ideas with my peers and colleagues more efficiently as compared to traditional face-to-face classes. | .798 | ||
MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) allow me to express my thoughts more clearly and openly. | .784 | ||
MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) allow me to have a more detailed, in depth conversation with my peers and colleagues in the course. | .682 | ||
Compared to face-to-face classes, I prefer using MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to share and discuss ideas because it is convenient. | .676 | ||
Compared to face-to-face classes, I am more comfortable responding to online discussions using MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp). | .599 | ||
School/university computers are not currently functioning (e.g., out of date or needing repair). | .326 | .741 | |
There is insufficient Internet bandwidth/speed for integration of social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) at my school/institute/university. | .652 | ||
Social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) will distract my students in the classroom. | .643 | ||
There is a lack of control on social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) in my school. | .643 | ||
Access to social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) is restricted in my school/institute/university. | .629 | ||
There is insufficient technical support for teachers using social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) in my school/institute/ university. | .319 | .609 | |
There are insufficient numbers of computers/laptops/tablets/smart phones for integration of social media (Telegram/WhatsApp). | .475 | ||
Extraction Method: Principal Axis Factoring. Rotation Method: Varimax with Kaiser Normalization. |
Appendix 2 The MUPI Scale
Survey Items
Dear participant, thank you for agreeing to take the following survey. The survey should take approximately 30 min to complete, as the bulk of it asks you to show your perceptions associated with using Mobile Social Network Sites (e.g., Telegram, WhatsApp) in English language teaching and learning.
The first set of questions asks you to provide basic personal information (demographic data) in order to set the context for your responses. No information that can identify you personally as the responder to the survey will be revealed (such as name, email address, date of birth, etc.). The second set of questions concerns your perceptions regarding the benefits, limitations and challenges associated with using Mobile Social Network Sites.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to email me at saiedeh.kavoshian@gmail.com. I look forward to receiving your response by September 5th, 2018.
Thank you in advance,
-
A)
Demographic Data

-
B)
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each statement when thinking about using Telegram/WhatsApp as a sort of social media in English language teaching and learning. Please read each statement carefully and mark your ideas as 1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = no opinion (neutral) 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree.
-
1.
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to share feedback by posting messages to others.
-
2.
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to exchange TESL related information, knowledge and stories with teachers.
-
3.
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to receive professional support from teachers.
-
4.
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to increase communication between teachers.
-
5.
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to develop communication skills.
-
6.
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to give professional support to teachers.
-
7.
EFL Teachers may use MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to be involved in a world of information.
-
8.
MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) allow me to have a more detailed, in depth conversation with my peers and colleagues in the course.
-
9.
MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) allow me to comment and discuss ideas with my peers and colleagues more efficiently as compared to traditional face-to-face classes.
-
10.
MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) are useful for teaching English.
-
11.
MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) allow me to express my thoughts more clearly and openly.
-
12.
I believe that the use of MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) increases students’ motivation.
-
13.
I feel more comfortable sharing and discussing my ideas on MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) than I do in a traditional face-to-face classroom.
-
14.
I would like to use mobile-based materials and activities in my classroom as much as possible.
-
15.
Compared to face-to-face classes, I prefer using MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) to share and discuss ideas because it is convenient.
-
16.
I believe that the use of MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) positively impacts student higher order thinking skills.
-
17.
Compared to face-to-face classes, I am more comfortable responding to online discussions using MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp).
-
18.
Social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) will distract my students in the classroom.
-
19.
Social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) allows teachers to access online content more easily.
-
20.
Access to social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) is restricted in my school/institute/university.
-
21.
Social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) should be used as a means to connect with students beyond the classroom.
-
22.
Social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) can better facilitate sharing of experiences, ideas and advice among professionals/peers.
-
23.
I know how to integrate mobile resources into existing classroom curricula.
-
24.
I am confident using MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) as a social media as a teaching tool.
-
25.
I am competent to use mobile-based materials in the classroom.
-
26.
There are insufficient numbers of computers/laptops/tablets/smart phones for integration of social media (Telegram/WhatsApp).
-
27.
There is insufficient Internet bandwidth/speed for integration of social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) at my school/institute/university.
-
28.
There is insufficient technical support for teachers using social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) in my school/institute/ university.
-
29.
There is a lack of control on social media (Telegram/WhatsApp) in my school.
-
30.
School/university computers are not currently functioning (e.g., out of date or needing repair).
-
31.
Students can improve their English skills through the use of MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp).
-
32.
Students try harder when they are learning with technology.
-
33.
Students can be motivated by the use of MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp) in the classroom.
-
34.
Students will be more attentive in mobile-assisted English language teaching classes.
-
35.
Internet resources can replace textbooks.
-
36.
It is easy to find ESL/EFL materials on the MSNSs (Telegram/WhatsApp).
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Kavoshian, S., Ketabi, S., Tavakoli, M. et al. Construction and validation of Mobile Social Network Sites Utility Perceptions Inventory (MUPI) and exploration of English as foreign language teachers’ perceptions of MSNSs for language teaching and learning. Educ Inf Technol 25, 2843–2869 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-10078-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-10078-2