Level of utilization of eLearning among students at selected KMTC campuses

Abstract

Background: Technology continues to impact various spheres of life, including learning. Over the years, eLearning has experienced a steady rise in popularity. At Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), the influence of technology on education became more noticeable due in part to a policy directive. This directive, prompted partly by the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasized adopting online teaching to address the loss of instructional hours. This study addressed a specific gap in KMTC's internal quality assurance efforts by accumulating evidence related to the extent of E-learning and user satisfaction. Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, utilizing qualitative and quantitative techniques. It involved KMTC campuses conveniently selected from the Coast and Nairobi regions, with 1139 students selected through simple random, stratified, and proportionate sampling methods. A mixed questionnaire (both open and closed-ended questions) was used to collect data. Specifically, the study aimed to assess the level of eLearning utilization among students in selected KMTC campuses and identify the determinants of this utilization. Results: Most of the respondents (89.2%) participated in online classes; 11.8% of those who did not participate cited reasons such as lack of gadgets, bundles, and poor internet connectivity, among others. Despite widespread e-learning utilization, 76.8% of learners strongly preferred face-to-face classes. Conclusions: Key factors linked to e-learning utilization included effective instructional strategies, quality technical support, and well-conducted online classes. The choice of communication channels, particularly platforms like WhatsApp, was strongly linked to e-learning utilization. Therefore, this study recommends that KMTC should acknowledge the strong preference for face-to-face classes and offer hybrid learning options. Further, the KMTC should address accessibility challenges and competing responsibilities at home by supporting data connectivity, ensuring user-friendly online platforms, and providing flexible scheduling options for diverse learner needs.