Challenges and Opportunities for the Adoption of e-Learning at the University of Gondar: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

E-Learning has grown significantly across the globe since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the usage of e-Learning in higher education is still in its infancy and under-utilized in the Ethiopian context. Contextual understanding of the main challenges and enabling factors are essential for the effective implementation of an e-Learning system. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the challenges and to identify the enabling factors for the adoption of e-Learning at the University of Gondar. This study aimed to explore the main challenges and to identify the enabling factors for the adoption of e-Learning at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. Methodologically, the study used thematic analysis to identify, analyze, and report findings. A total of 31 participants with a wide range of characteristics were purposely sampled and interviewed. Seven themes emerged during the analysis. Major challenges, such as infrastructure, poor knowledge, awareness and attitude towards information technology or e-Learning, new culture and resistance to accept the teaching system, lack of expertise on e-Learning, negatively affected the implementation of e-Learning. Other emerging themes included the pathways to overcome the challenges, opportunities in the University of Gondar’s context, and advantages and disadvantages of e-Learning from the participants’ perspective. The findings of this study revealed that there is willingness to implement e-Learning systems in developing countries like Ethiopia. The study identified the major challenges that significantly affect the adoption of an e-Learning system in Ethiopia. The study confirmed that establishing e-Learning infrastructures, increasing commitment and offering in-depth training are key elements for the successful implementation of e-Learning in higher education. This study also provided important recommendations and can serve as a baseline for policy-makers, designers, and researchers that help them to bettr understand the essential components of the e-Learning system.