Assessment of the Effect of E learning on Students’ Learning Process in University of Nairobi

Abstract

Problem E-Learning is the use of ICTs in the delivery of content in the education sector. Higher education systems around the world are being forced to introduce and use this innovative technology in teaching and learning. This has greatly exposed students to other extensive and important sources of information. In order for the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) to remain competitive, they have to invest and integrate ICTs in teaching and learning. In the last decade both public and private universities in Kenya especially The African Virtual University (AVU) have adopted eLearning as an alternate approach of teaching and learning. Despite these, few research studies have been done to assess the effect of eLearning on Students’ Learning Process (SLP) in Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) and the challenges associated with it. Therefore, the aim of this research study was to examine the effect of eLearning on Students’ Learning Process (SLP) at The University of Nairobi. Methodology This is a mixed research constituting both qualitative and quantitative deductive research. A population of 530 comprising of ten members of staff and 520 first year students from the College of Health Sciences (Dental School, School of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and the Department of eLearning) at The University of Nairobi Chiromo Campus were selected for the study. Probability and non-probability sampling was used for the study. The researcher used purposive sampling followed by stratified simple random sampling to select respondents from the University of Nairobi’s Claroline Learning Management System - CLMS. A sample size of 100 respondents comprising of 10 Bachelor of Dental Surgery students, 22 Bachelor of Pharmacy students, 66 students from Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and 2 respondents from members of eLearning department was selected in line with Yamane’s (1967) formula. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. Findings The research findings revealed that independent variables eLearning benefits, eLearning challenges, eLearning incentives and eLearning integration contribute to students’ learning process. Each of these factors influences the students’ learning process either positively or negatively. The research further revealed that the introduction of favourable and supportive eLearning environment enhances eLearning benefits which positively influence Students’ Learning Process while the introduction of unfavourable eLearning environment increases eLearning challenges which negatively affect SLP. The findings may be useful to The University of Nairobi and other IHL within and beyond the region in setting eLearning technologies as well as providing favourable conditions for the implementation of the eLearning process. Keywords: E-Learning, Innovation, Students’ Learning Process (SLP), Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), Learning Management Systems (LMS)