TITLE:
Increasing the Use of E-Learning Platforms in Tertiary Learning Institutions for Blended Distance Programmes in Zambia
AUTHORS:
Rodgers Himoonga, Jackson Phiri
KEYWORDS:
E-Learning, Platforms, Distance Programmes, Zambia
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.8 No.8,
August
21,
2020
ABSTRACT: Zambia embarked on an agenda to attain the vision 2030 which spells that
Zambia must reach a middle income status by the year 2030 and highly skilled human
capital is necessary for poverty alleviation and enhancement of prosperity. The increase in the use of e-learning platforms in
tertiary learning institutions for blended distance programmes is a major boost
toward this attainment. The main aim of the study was to increase the use of
e-learning platforms in the tertiary learning institutions for blended distance
programmes. The objective was to: describe the level to which e-learning
platforms have been used by the tertiary learning institutions in Zambia and
Prescribe measures that would increase the usage of e-learning platforms in
tertiary learning institutions in Zambia. The study was conducted at Evelyn
Hone College (EHC), National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) and
Lusaka Business and Technical College (LBTC). The study covered five years time
frame from 2015 to 2019 with regard to the environment surrounding e-learning platforms at the three institutions.
The research used cross-sectional and mixed methods design. In terms of
sampling techniques, the study used Stratified Simple Random Sampling and
Purposive or Judgmental Sampling. The quantitative data were collected using
two different Likert Scaled questionnaires for both lecturers and students
while qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions. The
quantitative data were analysed using Stata/SE 12.0 Package for Social Sciences
researches and the qualitative data were thematically analysed. The study demonstrated
that the levels of use of the e-learning platforms in the three institutions of
learning, on overall, were relatively average for lecturers with the following
statistics; Evelyn Hone College (EHC) it was 28.89%, Lusaka Business and
Technical Colleges (LBTC) it stood at 57.77% and National Institute of Public
Administration (NIPA) it was at 65.31%, while for students on aggregate it was
relatively below average and it stood as follows; Evelyn Hone College (EHC) it
was 14.52%, Lusaka Business and Technical College (LBTC) it was at 21.43%, and
National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) it was at 65.83%. In order
to boost the utilisation of e-learning platforms, the colleges needed to make
the e-learning platforms more user friendly (Ease of use), invest in
appropriate hardware and software and alternative sources of power, and
consider retraining the e-learning platforms users.