ICT officials' opinion on deploying Open Source Learning Management System for teaching and learning in universities in a developing society

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology specialists, working within universities play important roles in the deployment of educational technologies for teaching and learning. Given the centrality of these specialists and the woeful dearth of empirics on this subject-matter in Sub-Saharan Africa, this paper interrogates the perspectives of ICT specialists working within universities in Ghana, on the deployment of Moodle®/Sakai® Learning Management System (LMS) by universities in the country for teaching and learning and the challenges involved. Data collection entailed semi-structured interviews with twenty informants. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. It emerged that there has been impressive formulation of e-learning policy, construction of computer laboratories, Staff Resource Centre, Electronic Support Unit in the Balm Library, installation of Internet facility, Learning Management System, Enterprise Solution Software, Library Solution Software to promote ICT-mediated teaching and learning in the face of barriers. The paper adds knowledge to the extant literature in the field, impacts practice and policy along the pathway for ensuring sustainable deployment of LMS in universities in Sub-Saharan Africa.