dc.description.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) | en_US |