Developments in information and communication technology (ICT) have accelerated, especially when it comes to language teaching [
2]. The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in Palestine has implemented numerous innovations in ICT for education through professional development programs; however, teachers express dissatisfaction when surveyed [
3]. Even in virtual classrooms, the instructor is the only one speaking [
2], while students remain seated, listen mainly in silence, and take notes to commit to memory in a non-interactive manner. Numerous detrimental effects on students' language proficiency may result from this teacher-centered learning environment [
4,
5,
6]. In traditionally didactic teacher-led learning, there are few opportunities for authentic classroom interactions; as a result, students rarely utilize their language skills in real-world contexts [
7]. In Palestinian university contexts, research on how well Learning Management Systems (LMS) work to accelerate language learning and investigate how it affects learners' attitudes toward language acquisition is still extremely uncommon.
1.3. Literature Review
We contend that the growth of social media and ICT has increased the opportunities for academic success. Given today's unrestricted access to vast amounts of information, creative pedagogical approaches are required to help students navigate digital content and gain knowledge on their own [
8]. Utilizing educational technologies could help teachers and students identify the unique learning obstacles that arise in different settings and at different times. Purwanto asserts that students can visit and access their classes from anywhere at any time. ICT is used in every educational process in the third decade of the 2000s [
10,
11]. In the virtual learning environment, the new web-based learning model presents challenges and opportunities for both educators and students. Online English learning is one example of how digital educational websites can help improve teachers' methods of illustrating the content. Students should be ready to pick up ideas from reputable websites and the instructor's example. In order to conduct virtual classes online as effectively as in traditional classrooms, the teacher’s role in delivering the lesson is crucial [
12].
Modern educational institutions, ranging from elementary to advanced levels, use technological tools and educational websites like networks for learning to manage teaching tasks [
13]. Every subject that students learn in school or at university is supported in this manner. To avoid leaving students without direction during the recent critical pandemic era, the majority of educators worldwide turned to digital education [
14,
15]. Since technology is ubiquitous, this century is known as “the age of technology” and its advancements have had an impact on all facets of human life, particularly education. Teachers across the globe are encouraged to use technology in their lessons because it affects students' academic performance. As a result, teachers need to support and insert technology into their lesson plans [
16].
Technology is used by educational institutions at all levels to facilitate distant instruction and learning, such as teaching and learning of English [
17]. People are encouraged to use technology even more in this era of globalization [
18,
19]. Consequently, educators need to integrate it into their lesson plans [
20]. In the wake of the current pandemic, this is still true. Therefore, one of the most important strategies for encouraging students to study English online and increase their achievement is to use technology to emphasize the quality of teaching and learning resources [
21].
English proficiency has become essential, certainly in Palestine, since it can be used for international communication anywhere in the world. In addition, learning English can improve relationships across the nation, among other benefits. In Palestine, English is thus taught in preschool, elementary school, secondary school, and tertiary education. Studying at every level leads to new objectives and deeper learning. English is taught to kindergarten and elementary school pupils through simple exercises and hands-on games [
22]. The primary level concentrates on learning grammar and vocabulary associated with a range of subjects, such as families, animals, food and drink, sports, and games [
23]. At higher levels it has been noted that academic skills and increasing students' ability to meet expectations should be included in the English course requirement in secondary high schools [
24].
Because they can be finished at any time and thus take less time and dedication than in-person learning environments, online courses are frequently preferred by students [
25]. Social networking sites have drastically changed how people communicate and exchange knowledge within communities [
26]. They have spread over most of the world and eliminated many national boundaries, allowing people in most countries to express their own opinions as well as learn about the beliefs and lifestyles of others [
27]. Instructors and students can stay in touch with each other through web applications at any time of day or place, even outside of the classroom. A multitude of tools are at one's disposal to facilitate the acquisition and integration of educational materials. Due to the widespread use of social networking, websites and apps of this kind can be integrated with smartboards to offer educators and students alike exciting and safe environments for collaborating, interesting, discussing, and sharing data [
28].
Academic activities, such as teaching and learning, were significantly impacted by the start of COVID-19 [
29]. So as to make easy and safe access to online learning through digital sites for students and instructors without necessitating in-person interaction, the Palestinian educational institutions directed that teaching should be conducted digitally [
30]. Following the widespread shift to online learning, numerous analysts highlighted several significant advancements that were in some ways invigorating – things were surfaced which may have remained suppressed for a long time, and modifications are underway which some see as past due [
15]. Since the pandemic, there has been a return to some semblance of normalcy, and in many cases, home study is encouraged to keep students actively learning in the modern digital world. It is imperative that educators and students be equipped to handle both present and future crises, including those involving Palestine and the Ukraine [
6,
31,
32]. With today's technology, students can study online without having to interact with teachers directly [
33]. These days, educational advanced technologies include software, digital sites, and web-based media [
33]. An institutionally-specific educational framework, content, sessions, opportunities for interaction, dialogue, and co-creation, assessments, and spaces for students to upload work are all provided by the learning management system (LMS) platform, a digital platform that serves as a foundation for student interactions with their education. This has been referred to as a "one stop shop" [
34].
There are evident effects on learners' attitudes and language acquisition when using online digital classrooms [
35]. While in-person classes in Palestine used chalkboards to support the teaching-learning process, learning management systems are very beneficial to higher education institutions, and this was especially true during the pandemic. Postsecondary education make prolific use of online learning management systems, which are intended to engage students through a variety of pedagogical and communicative methods [
36]. Even though each LMS has unique qualities, they can be customized to meet the needs and circumstances of particular institutions [
34]. Moodle has emerged as the most widely used LMS for managing teaching and learning procedures, especially for English courses [
37].
Moodle is an online learning environment that helps students improve their comprehension and abilities by assigning meaningful tasks that foster collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and interaction in English classes [
38]. Online learning can be made easier with feedback by using Moodle as a digital learning tool [
39]. The most recent official statistics from Moodle (Moodle, 2019) show that more than sixty percent of schools and institutions used Moodle for both online and offline teaching methods.
With its ability to let teachers and students collaborate to enhance the learning environment, Moodle positions itself as a tool of immense importance in the educational process. Utilizing the Moodle learning platform, students may also be able to build information relevant to their level from other educational sources. The fact that LMS significantly affects the current interactive learning environment is another benefit of using it. By fostering independence and empowering students to be more flexible in their learning, especially while studying the English language, LMS can boost students' engagement.
In order to help students better comprehend the English course and prepare for their future professions, the vocational stream of English language instruction aims to help them. In addition, four English language skills are the main focus of English language instruction in Palestine [
40]. A seamless interactive learning pace in the classroom is accelerated by effectively and efficiently using an interactive online platform. This makes it possible for students to work with English topics digitally. Given the speed at which technology is developing, learning management systems could be a suitable way to provide and access web-based educational resources [
41].
Through LMSs like Moodle, English teachers can give their students instructional resources including videos, material written material, recorded materials, and webpages and these, alongside a wider use of technological tools, have the potential to make educational environment better [
43]. According to a study by Annisa et al. [
44], students believe that the English language is a crucial subject that they concentrate on to eventually pass final exams and get better grades. Furthermore, the vast majority of students said that studying English will help them achieve their academic objectives in the future. They recognized that, in order to improve their performance, they needed to increase their self-efficiency in emergency preparation, motivation, and consciousness. One important factor that is expected to boost motivation in Moodle-based online courses is the attitude concept.
The students responded in a positive and favorable way to the questionnaire and interview sessions. The most efficient way to carry out educational tasks, such as studying the English language, according to subjects in the Covid-19 breakdown out, was through e-learning. In terms of language learners using Moodle, Setlik & da Silva looked at the impact of teacher preparation. Positive influence came to light. It was determined that the Moodle platform teacher training had a positive influence on the students’ progress in learning English as a second language. More specifically, Logroño & Costelo-Abrea investigated how EFL students perceived the difficulties they encountered using Microsoft Teams and Moodle for their coursework. The findings showed that some of the students' opinions about online learning were unfavorable. Some of the difficulties they reported encountering included the lack of social interaction, technical issues, and distractions.
Regarding Moodle's significant impact as an online learning platform, more research is required to examine Moodle's dependability in the Palestinian educational institutions during the crisis. Consequently, the present research examined how university students experience concerning using the Moodle platform as an interactive tool for learning, to emphasis the English language classes.