Extensiveness of E-Learning Platform in Secondary Schools towards Improving Science and Mathematics Performance in Moshi District, Tanzania (Published)

This study evaluated the Extensiveness of E-Learning Platform in Church Secondary Schools to Improve Science and Mathematics Performance. The study was summative evaluation which was guided by (CIPP) model. This evaluation adopted an embedded model of the convergent design whereby qualitative and quantitative data sets were collected at the same time and then integration of the information in the interpretation was done in report writing. Both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used to select 127 respondents from the target population. Both qualitative and quantitative instruments were used to collect data and that were descriptively and inferentially analyzed. Validity of the quantitative instruments was determined and the reliability coefficient was calculated using Cronbach’s Alpha (r=0.762 for teachers’ questionnaire and r=0.737 for students’ questionnaire). Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies, and percentage and presented in tables by the aid of SPSS. Qualitative data was coded, analyzed, and presented in themes and direct quotations. The key findings indicated that E-learning platform was effectively operating. It has made improvement in students’ performance not only in science and mathematics subjects but even in social science subjects. The study concludes that the E-leaning project by CSSC proves positive achievement in teaching of science and mathematics subjects in the project schools. The study recommends that ICT and E-learning should be used for teaching and learning in all learning institutions.

Citation: Augustino Kayombo, Victorini Salema, and Adam Chidyau (2022) Extensiveness of E-Learning Platform in Secondary Schools towards Improving Science and Mathematics Performance in Moshi District, Tanzania, British Journal of Education, Vol.10, Issue 13, pp.1-19

Keywords: Christian social service commission, E-learning, ICT, Science and Mathematics

Perceived Level of Knowledge and Skills On the Use of E-Learning Among Lecturers and Students at the Open University of Tanzania (Published)

This study examined the level of knowledge and skills on the use of e-learning among lecturers and student at the Open University of Tanzania. The study was guided by one research question and one hypothesis. The study was also guided by Dynamic Skills Theory developed by Fischer in 1980. The study employed convergent design under mixed research approach.  The target population involves 2616 students, 303 lecturers, 50 instructional designers, 01 Director of Quality Assurance, and 01 Director of Examination Syndicate. The sample of this study included 262 students, 30 lecturers, 01 director of quality assurance, 01 director of examination syndicate, 05 instructional designers. Stratified, simple random, and purposeful sampling techniques were used to determine the study sample that consisted of 299 respondents. Research instruments included questionnaires, interview guides, and document analysis schedule. For quantitative data analysis the researcher used both descriptive and inferential statistics. For qualitative data analysis the researcher used thematic analysis for analyzing qualitative data. Data for both quantitative and qualitative are presented using tables, charts, figures, narrations, themes, categories and direct quotations were used to present the study findings. The findings indicated that a moderate majority of lecturers and majority of students perceived had lack   knowledge and skills on the use of e-learning. The average mean score for lecturers and students was 2.97 and 2.25 respectively. This indicated that there was disagreement on the perceived level of knowledge and skills on the use of e-learning among lectures and students. Moreover, the findings indicated that there is no significant difference mean score between arts students and science students on the perceived level of knowledge and skills on the e-learning at the Open University of Tanzania. The study concluded that both lecturers and students had perceived inadequate knowledge and skills on the use of e-learning. The study recommends, that The Open Universities of Tanzania with collaboration of Institute of Education Management and Technology should provide training for both lecturers and students on issues regarding utilization of e-learning.

Keywords: E-learning, Knowledge, Lecturers, Skills, Students

Use of E-Learning Strategies and Students’ Retention of Knowledge in Basic Science and Technology, (Published)

The study focused on enhancing students’ retention of knowledge using two e-learning strategies in Basic Science and Technology in Benue, Nigeria.  A non-randomised control group, pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was employed.  The study population comprised 27367 Upper Basic II students where a sample of 202 was drawn using multistage sampling technique. Developed Machine-Assisted Learning (MAL) and Virtual Science Laboratory (VSL) apps by the researchers were used as pedagogical strategies. The instrument used for data collection was Basic Science and Performance Test (BSTPT) which was transformed to Basic Science and Technology Retention Test (BSTRT) through reshuffling.  This was validated, trial-tested and subjected to reliability analysis using Kuder Richardson (KR)-21 which gave 0.94.  Four research questions were stated and analysed using mean and standard deviation, and graphs while four hypotheses were stated and tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.050 level of significance. The findings revealed that, there were significant differences in the mean retention scores [F2, 195 = 199.689, p = 0.000 < 0.050] among MAL, VSL and Expository groups. A follow up pair wise comparisons confirmed the hypothesis in all the three combinations: MAL and VSL (p = 0.000 < 0.05); MAL and Expository (p = 0.00 0< 0.05) and VSL and Expository (p = 0.000 < 0.05). The findings also revealed that, there was no significant gender disparity in the mean retention scores of the students in MAL [F1, 57 = 0.817, p = 0.370 > 0.050] and VSL [F1, 72 = 0.226, p = 0.636 > 0.050]. It was further found that, there was no significant interaction effect of strategies and gender on the students’ mean retention score [F2, 195 = 0.191, p =0.826 > 0.050]. The study concluded that the use of MAL and VSL apps have enhanced students’ knowledge retention in BST than expository strategy. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other things that, the government and teachers-trainees’ institutions should train teachers on the development and implementation of the MAL and VSL since they have greater effects on students’ durable memory.

Keywords: E-learning, Gender, and basic science and technology, machine-assisted learning, retention of knowledge, virtual science laboratory

Examining Faculty Perceptions of Blackboard by Using the Technology Acceptance Model (Published)

This study aims to investigate faculty perceptions of blackboard usage, utilizing Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as its theoretical basis. The TAM questionnaire was administered to a sample of faculty members in the Faculty of Education at Najran University, after modifying the items to be suitable to Saudi Arabia society. This questionnaire measures three hypothesized constructs of e-learning: perceived usefulness of the blackboard, and usage of the blackboard. The findings of the study showing faculty members’ Perceived Ease of Use having significant on their perceptions about usefulness and attitudes towards us of the blackboard in teaching. Although there are many more questions than answers regarding teaching with Blackboard as learning management system, it is hoped that these results and experiences may encourage further pedagogical dialogue, and empirical results about how to deliver and organize courses in this technological environment effectively and successfully. 

Keywords: E-learning, Technology Acceptance Model (ATM), blackboard

Design and Development of E-Courses: Requirements, Challenges, and Aspirations (Published)

The present study aimed to identify the requirements and criteria of instructional design of e-courses in addition to what degree faculty members are familiar with such skills and requirements. It also sought to identify the most important visions for the development and design of e-courses from the perspectives of experts and faculty members besides the main obstacles that face them during the design process. The descriptive approach was used to carry out the study. The questionnaire is a main study tool used for data gathering. A sample of (101) was randomly selected out of the faculty members at the College of Education and the College of Science and Arts was randomly selected. Findings indicated that there were certain criteria and requirements for the instructional design of the e-courses that faculty members should refer to in order to obtain a suitable e-content. There were significant differences between the faculty members’ degree of knowledge and degree of use in favor of their knowledge degree of the instructional design skills.  Furthermore, their knowledge degree was moderate and their use degree was low. Results also showed that there were certain obstacles facing faculty members while developing their e-courses. The most prominent obstacles were the lack of enough training workshops for the basics of e-courses design and development in addition to the lack of e-laboratories for training on the primary development of e-courses. The most important visions provided by faculty members were the development of faculty members’ skills of the e-courses design via specific straining workshops besides following quality international criteria when they design and develop e-courses.

Keywords: E-learning, Instructional Design, Learning Management System, Najran University, e-courses

The Impact of Social Media on University of Cape Coast Psychology Students’ Academic Performance (Published)

The study was conducted to find out the impact of social media on University of Cape Coast Psychology students’ academic performance. Descriptive survey and convenient sampling were the research design and sampling technique used respectively. The sample size of the study was two hundred (200) psychology students of the university of Cape Coast. Three research questions were posed to guide the study. Research findings showed that a greater number of psychology students in the university had access to the internet.To this end the researcher recommended that social networking sites should be created for educational purposes. This is to create a balance between social networking and academic activities of students to avoid setbacks in the academic performance of students.

Keywords: Communication and Homepage., E-learning, Facebook, Internet, Social Networking, Social media, Twitter, Websites

Effectiveness of Using Blackboard Collaborate Tools in Promoting Practical Skills among Students of the Foundation Year in E-Learning Course (Published)

The current study is an attempt to identify the effectiveness of using Blackboard Collaborate Tools, such as wiki, panel discussions and virtual classrooms, in promoting the practical skills among the female students of the Foundation Year in the E-Learning Course. The study sample consisted of (50) female students enrolled in the Foundation Year of College of Education at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia, for the academic year (2016/2017). The results showed that there were statistically significant differences at the level of (0.01) between the mean scores of the participants in the pre-and-post measurement for the practical skills within the Blackboard of E-Collaborative Learning in favor of the post measurement; according to Black equation, the effectiveness rate achieved by more than (1.2).

Keywords: E-learning, Effectiveness, blackboard, practical skills

The Impact of Social Media on University of Cape Coast Psychology Students’ Academic Performance (Published)

The study was conducted to find out the impact of social media on University of Cape Coast Psychology students’ academic performance. Descriptive survey and convenient sampling were the research design and sampling technique used respectively. The sample size of the study was two hundred (200) psychology students of the university of Cape Coast. Three research questions were posed to guide the study. Research findings showed that a greater number of psychology students in the university had access to the internet.

To this end the researcher recommended that social networking sites should be created for educational purposes. This is to create a balance between social networking and academic activities of students to avoid setbacks in the academic performance of students.

Keywords: Communication and Homepage., E-learning, Facebook, Internet, Social Networking, Social media, Twitter, Websites