Impact of digital feedback, self-efficacy, and autonomy on motivation and general english performance in online courses

This research aimed at exploring the impact of digital feedback, self-efficacy, and autonomy on the motivation and general English performance of Chinese EFL learners in online courses. The study recruited a total of 225 participants, comprising 112 males and 113 females, purposefully selected and distributed among nine distinct groups: personalized feedback group (PFG, n = 25), generic feedback group (GFG, n = 25), no feedback group (NFG, n = 25), high self-efficacy group (HSG, n = 25), medium self-efficacy group (MSG, n = 25), low self-efficacy group (LSG, n = 25), high autonomy group (HAG, n = 25), medium autonomy group (MAG), and low autonomy group (LAG, n = 25). All groups completed a validated motivation questionnaire and a general English performance test to establish their baseline levels before the intervention. Subsequently, each group underwent specific treatments throughout the study, followed by posttests measuring changes in motivation and English performance. The results of MANOVA indicated that the PFG significantly outperformed both the GFG and NFG as to motivation and general English performance. Similarly, the HAG achieved better outcomes than the MAG and LAG across both measures, while the HSG exceeded the MSG and LSG, demonstrating the most substantial mean differences in motivation and performance. The study highlights the critical role of personalized digital feedback, heightened self-efficacy, and increased autonomy in fostering motivation and enhancing English proficiency within virtual learning environments. Consequently, this study brings into focus that incorporating these elements into online EFL education could substantially improve EFL learners’ motivation and learning achievements.