Factors affecting the use of e-learning in higher institutions of learning during Covid-19 lockdown: a case study of Makerere University

Abstract

The study intended to identify the factors associated with e-learning among the university students. Different specific objectives were examined. The study used secondary data collected from different colleges of Makerere University. A cross section survey design was used for the study. Stratified sampling technique was used for this study where study population was grouped in strata with uniform sample size. Data was presented at two levels that’s is to say univariate and bivariate analysis. Study findings indicate that majority of the respondents were male at 58.8%, majority of the participants (61.76%) were students from COBAMs, majority of the students (73.53%) at the university were admitted on private, more than three quarters of the students (76.47%) were in the age bracket of 19-24 years, majority of the students were residing in rentals at 52.94%, majority of the students were year twos at 35.3%, majority of the students 82.4% had participated in e-learning at Makerere University. However, results indicate that a larger proportion of the students (47.06%) found it hard to use e-learning. With bi-variate analysis, results indicate that there existed a significant statistical association between gender and usage of e-learning at the university, existed no significant statistical association between place of residence and usage of e-learning at the university, there existed a significant statistical association between training and usage of e-learning at the university, their existed a significant statistical association between usage of gadgets and usage of e-learning at the university, there existed a significant statistical association between versatile and usage of e-learning at the university. this makes the stated null hypotheses for these variables false and the alternative true. Therefore, the researcher recommends female students should be more trained on how to use online e-learning facilities. In return, this will make them also comfortable in the usage of the facilities. Still lack of enough training was identified to be another challenge for the students to use e-learning facilities. Parents should be also guided with how important is to provide laptops to the students. Besides that, the university should make it as a requirement “reporting with a laptop” for all students admitted at the university so as to enhance their skills with e-learning facilities.