Abstract
Digital learning has reshaped education in many ways. The purpose of this study is to respond to the question of whether COVID-19 is the gateway for digital-learning in mathematics education. To this end, this study explores some uptakes of social media platforms by prospective secondary school teachers. Data was collected from 102 prospective mathematics teachers from the Copperbelt University (CBU). Cluster analysis approach was used. Results revealed that participants’ scores for digital learning in mathematics in cluster 2 were higher than those in both cluster 1 and 3. This is a clear indication that prospective teachers in clusters with low scores are more likely to exhibit low skill levels in the use of mobile technology and the adoption of social media in relation to mathematics pedagogy during the COVID-19 crisis. Results show different patterns. However, overall results show that digital learning could be a positive response to COVID-19 closure period.
Highlights
In the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic that has affected most parts of the world with high death rates recorded in Italy, Spain, United States of America, France, United Kingdom... and other parts of Europe and Africa, the death toll continues to rise
Digital learning as an educational response to COVID-19 crisis raises some interesting questions: 1. Will the adoption of digital learning as a response to COVID-19 stimulate the growth of digital learning in mathematics, especially in Zambia which has been historically resistant to the use of digital learning?
Digital learning in mathematics allows students to even study at the comfort of their homes
Summary
In the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic that has affected most parts of the world with high death rates recorded in Italy, Spain, United States of America, France, United Kingdom... and other parts of Europe and Africa, the death toll continues to rise. There was no confirmed case of COVID-19 yet, the government of Zambia through the minister of health announced that all schools, colleges and universities would be closed prematurely by Friday 20th March 2020 and expected to re-open depending on how the pandemic evolves. This was done as a preventive measure to protect students, teachers and lecturers. Majority of the students who are presently enrolled in various educational institutions around the world are shifting their mode of learning from physical classroom to digital learning education Amidst all this transformation, Zambia has not been left out. Only colleges and universities are the ones caught up in the web of digital learning
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