| dc.description.abstract | This study investigated factors influencing e-learning readiness among Bachelor of Education students of the University of Nairobi. To achieve this, research objectives were formulated which included; to determine the level of students' e-learning readiness in relation to students' gender, age and, mode of learning; to assess the relationship between students' e-learning readiness and year of study and, area of study; and, to establish the relationship between students' prior training in computers and their learning readiness.
The study employed the survey design and targeted a population of 2 041 Bachelor of Education regular students and 6 500 Bachelor of Education distance students making a total target population of 8541 students. From this population, a sample of 250 regular students and 200 distance learners, making a total of 450 respondents was obtained. The results of this study revealed that female Bachelor of Education students showed higher levels of readiness for e-learning as compared to their male counterparts. The findings also showed that age was one of the factors that influence the readiness of students for e-learning, as the younger learners reported more readiness for e-learning than the older learners. It was also found that Bachelor of Education (Science) students showed higher levels of readiness than their Bachelor of Education (Arts) counterparts.
The study also revealed that regular students have higher readiness for e-learning than distance learners, and that the year of study determines the level of readiness for elearning. Further, it was found that prior training in computer determines students' readiness for e-learning, as those students with prior training in computers were found to be more ready for e-learning than those students who did not have prior training in computers. In view of these findings, the study recommended that the University administration ensure that both male and female students are deliberately sensitised, encouraged and accorded training opportunities in the use of e-learning facilities if they are to be expected to learn competitively.
The study also recommended to the University administration to ensure that students from all years of study are accorded similar access to e-learning facilities in the University to avoid bias in computer usage among the students from various years of study. In addition, the University should ensure that all regional centres for distance learners are well equipped with e-learning facilities to ensure that distance learners have access to e-learning facilities. The study further recommended that the University should acquire more e-learning facilities (computers) and open more computer laboratories to ensure that the high student/computer ratio is bridged. Finally, the study suggested that similar research be carried out in the other colleges of the University, and the other universities in the country at large. | en_US |
