E-learning utilization and experiences in higher education: insights from KNUST-based BSU survey

Abstract

E-learning is increasingly becoming common in higher education institutions due to the potential benefits deemed to be derived from its exploitation. Accordingly, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has employed a range of technologies and tools to allow and enhance e-learning within the University. However, there is absence of documentation describing the extent of utilization given the problems of teacher/student inabilities in ICT among others. Moreover, the specific teaching and learning activities that incorporate e-learning have not been addressed by previous studies. This paper reports on the e-learning environments of KNUST, with particular focus on utilization and experiences. Data for this study was extracted from the KNUST-based Building Stronger Universities (BSU) project. This included 1,145 participants being educational managers, teachers, IT experts and students of the university. Test of proportions, count regression analysis and graphical procedures were employed to implement data analysis. The study revealed that utilization of e-learning was high, particularly among the student (97.8%) and teacher (64.3%) participants. Results from the count regression model showed that students from College of Agriculture and College of Engineering more frequently use e-learning compared to their counterparts from other colleges of the University. The e-learning experiences among teachers and students are outlined and discussed, few are: use of online video lectures, public address system for lecture delivery, use of e-journals for accessing articles and delivery of course materials through emails. The study contributes to understanding of the extent of acceptance and application of e-learning in Ghanaian on-campus higher education, using KNUST as a case study.