Attitudes of lecturers towards e-learning: BA ISAGO university

Abstract

In Botswana e-learning is still in its infancy with most universities currently implementing different strategies to integrate e-learning into the teaching and learning process. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate whether the variables age, gender, training to use e-learning tools, e-learning experience, internet access, and computer skills were associated with the lecturer’s attitudes towards e-learning. The study consisted of thirty-eight randomly selected lecturers at BA ISAGO University, Gaborone campus. The data was collected using a closed-ended questionnaire with items that seek to ascertain their attitudes towards e-learning. To test out the study hypothesis descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations and independent samples t-test were computed. The results indicated that half of the participants had positive attitudes towards e-learning. Proving that e-learning was an acceptable teaching method to be utilised at this tertiary education institution. The study further showed that age and gender were not significantly associated with the lecturers’ attitudes towards e-learning. Also, the results indicated that there was no significant relationship between attitudes towards e-learning and training to use e-learning tools, e-learning experience, internet access as well as computer skills. It was therefore concluded that these variables had no impact on attitudes of lecturers towards e-learning as lecturers had become competent and confident in using computers as part of teaching methodology at BA ISAGO University. It is crucial for this university to strengthen the digital culture through training and support, and motivational strategies to build positive attitude towards e-learning.