Research Article

Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences

Volume: 15 Number: 1 July 8, 2026
TR EN

Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences

Abstract

This qualitative interview study explored EFL students’ lived experiences of using EnglishCentral, a video-based platform, as part of a high-stakes assessment system in a Turkish university preparatory program. Six students in an intensive English program participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted in Turkish. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis within Bachman and Palmer’s (1996) test usefulness framework. Three interrelated themes emerged from the data analysis. First, students reported perceived gains, mainly in terms of vocabulary, listening, and exposure to different English accents. Second, engagement was driven largely by assessment demands: students used the platform primarily to secure Language Portfolio (LP) points and reduce the risk of failure, often prioritizing task completion over learning. Third, students described the tool’s effectiveness as conditional, citing misalignment with institutional exams, opportunities to “game” automated scoring, and concerns regarding fairness, validity, and accountability. Overall, the findings suggest that, in this context, students’ perceived value of EnglishCentral was shaped less by the blended assessment tools or the platform alone than by how it was positioned within the LP grading system, aligned with course and exam outcomes, and guided by the teachers. This study recommends transparent scoring practices, moderate grade weighting, and active teacher guidance to support meaningful engagement with technology-mediated assessment in EFL contexts.

Keywords

References

  1. Abduh, M. Y. M. (2021). Full-time online assessment during COVID-19 lockdown: EFL teachers’ perceptions. Asian EFL Journal Research Articles, 28(1.1), 26–46.
  2. Ahmad, N., Ab Rahim, I. S., & Ahmad, S. (2021). Challenges in implementing online language assessment-A critical reflection of issues faced amidst Covid-19 pandemic. Knowledge Management International Conference (KMICe), 74–79. http://www.kmice.cms.net.my/
  3. Albiladi, W. S., & Alshareef, K. K. (2019). Blended learning in English teaching and learning: A systematic review. Arab World English Journal, 10(1), 220–240. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol10no1.20
  4. Almalki, H. & Storch, N. (2023) Online collaborative L2 writing: Using synchronous and asynchronous tools with Arabic as a second language learners. In M. Li & M. Zhang (Eds.), L2 collaborative writing in diverse learning contexts (pp. 130–154). John Benjamins, https://doi.org/10.1075/lllt.59.06alm
  5. Almutairi, L., Alghamdi, H., Alseghayr, M., Aljuhami, R., Alqahtani, S., & Alfadda, H. (2024). English language assessment through blended learning: An investigation on teachers’ and ESL learners’ beliefs and practices in technical colleges. US-China Education Review A, 14(9), 577-586.
  6. Alrouji, O. O. (2020). The effectiveness of blended learning in enhancing Saudi students’ competence in paragraph writing. English Language Teaching, 13(9), 72–82. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v13n9p72
  7. Bachman, L. F., & Palmer, A. S. (1996). Language testing in practice: Designing and developing useful language tests. Oxford University Press.
  8. Boelens, R., De Wever, B., & Voet, M. (2017). Four key challenges to the design of blended learning: A systematic literature review. Educational Research Review, 22, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2017.06.001

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

English As A Second Language, Language Studies (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 8, 2026

Submission Date

January 5, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 1

APA
Peker, H. (2026). Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences. ELT Research Journal, 15(1), 126-160. https://doi.org/10.71362/eltrj.1856328
AMA
1.Peker H. Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences. ELTRJ. 2026;15(1):126-160. doi:10.71362/eltrj.1856328
Chicago
Peker, Hilal. 2026. “Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences”. ELT Research Journal 15 (1): 126-60. https://doi.org/10.71362/eltrj.1856328.
EndNote
Peker H (July 1, 2026) Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences. ELT Research Journal 15 1 126–160.
IEEE
[1]H. Peker, “Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences”, ELTRJ, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 126–160, July 2026, doi: 10.71362/eltrj.1856328.
ISNAD
Peker, Hilal. “Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences”. ELT Research Journal 15/1 (July 1, 2026): 126-160. https://doi.org/10.71362/eltrj.1856328.
JAMA
1.Peker H. Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences. ELTRJ. 2026;15:126–160.
MLA
Peker, Hilal. “Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences”. ELT Research Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 126-60, doi:10.71362/eltrj.1856328.
Vancouver
1.Hilal Peker. Technology-Mediated Assessment in Blended EFL Courses: A Qualitative Interview Study of Students’ Experiences. ELTRJ. 2026 Jul. 1;15(1):126-60. doi:10.71362/eltrj.1856328