Increasing the Use of E-Learning Platforms in Tertiary Learning Institutions for Blended Distance Programmes in Zambia

Abstract

Zambia embarked on an agenda to attain the vision 2030 which spells that Zambia must reach a middle income status by the year 2030 and highly skilled human capital is necessary for poverty alleviation and enhancement of prosperity. The increase in the use of e-learning platforms in tertiary learning institutions for blended distance programmes is a major boost toward this attainment. The main aim of the study was to increase the use of e-learning platforms in the tertiary learning institutions for blended distance programmes. The objective was to: describe the level to which e-learning platforms have been used by the tertiary learning institutions in Zambia and Prescribe measures that would increase the usage of e-learning platforms in tertiary learning institutions in Zambia. The study was conducted at Evelyn Hone College (EHC), National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) and Lusaka Business and Technical College (LBTC). The study covered five years time frame from 2015 to 2019 with regard to the environment surrounding e-learning platforms at the three institutions. The research used cross-sectional and mixed methods design. In terms of sampling techniques, the study used Stratified Simple Random Sampling and Purposive or Judgmental Sampling. The quantitative data were collected using two different Likert Scaled questionnaires for both lecturers and students while qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions. The quantitative data were analysed using Stata/SE 12.0 Package for Social Sciences researches and the qualitative data were thematically analysed. The study demonstrated that the levels of use of the e-learning platforms in the three institutions of learning, on overall, were relatively average for lecturers with the following statistics; Evelyn Hone College (EHC) it was 28.89%, Lusaka Business and Technical Colleges (LBTC) it stood at 57.77% and National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) it was at 65.31%, while for students on aggregate it was relatively below average and it stood as follows; Evelyn Hone College (EHC) it was 14.52%, Lusaka Business and Technical College (LBTC) it was at 21.43%, and National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) it was at 65.83%. In order to boost the utilisation of e-learning platforms, the colleges needed to make the e-learning platforms more user friendly (Ease of use), invest in appropriate hardware and software and alternative sources of power, and consider retraining the e-learning platforms users.