Technology as a Key Driver in Enhancing Scientific Education during the Covid-19 Era at the University of Namibia

Abstract

Abstract: Student profiling on the use of technology for teaching, learning and assessment has a potential to enable educators to enhance their transformational teaching strategies. Therefore, this study explored the views of students on use of technology to facilitate online learning during COVID-19. The study employed a quantitative approach to collect data using a Google Form questionnaire. Nineteen conveniently sampled respondents (38%) were drawn from a population of 50 students registered for first year BSc Microbiology and BSc Environmental Biology in 2021. The collected data was analyzed through descriptive statistics using Microsoft Excel 2010. The findings revealed that during online learning students experienced challenges related to subject knowledge acquisition (63%). Hence; majority (84%) of the students preferred face-to-face or blended teaching learning and assessment to ensure pedagogic access. It is concluded that students’ exposure to online learning helped improve skills such as typing (79%), internet information searching (95%) and general computer skills (89%). Thus, it is recommended that academics and student should be capacitated with training, and higher education curricula should encourage the use of digital technology, which prepares students to be relevant in the digital society.