Academic success of students and educational trajectories: Characteristics and needs for a digital learning environment at the University of Abomey-Calavi

Abstract

The upsurge of COVID-19 proved the need to improve higher education capabilities to continue training even during class discontinuity. In UAC’s context, adopting e-learning is also a way to mitigate the significant number of students enrolled yearly (approximately 60.000) and provide quality education to all. Therefore, this research on students’ success and needs aims to identify the optimal learning conditions conducive to academic and professional success. Targeting two schools of UAC, we investigated the online learning environment, considering material and virtual environments, as well as pedagogical support provided to students at UAC. We analyzed the choice made at UAC to promote blended learning. We conducted in-person interviews with students, faculty, and staff and held a focus group with selected students. We collected information about what is being done regarding e-learning and users' perceptions and requested their needs for an optimal learning environment. We found that UAC does not have optimal conditions to provide quality e-learning to students. Many do not have access to devices (laptops, smartphones, or tablets) or a quality Internet connection. Faculty members still seek training, even if some have received Instructional Design and Pedagogy training from Arizona State University. Students and faculty members also express a need to receive coaching, tutoring, and pedagogical support from the technical staff, which are in a low number (only 3 in charge of supporting e-learning at the whole university). Based on this, we recommended that UAC: 1) develop a better material learning environment for students, faculty members, and staff through the acquisition of devices and improvement of the Internet connection, 2) provide training to students on how to learn online, and 3) develop staff capabilities to coach, tutor and support students and faculty members on the integration of e-Learning in academic practices.