An assessment of students' utilization of ICT for self-directed learning at Makerere University'; a case study of undergraduate students at at the school of Distance and Life long Learning.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the utilization of Information Technologies (ICTs) in students’ self–directed learning. The focus was on three main subject matters: to determine the student’s accessibility to ICT tools, determine student’s perceptions of ICT usage for self-directed learning and examine contribution of ICTs to student’s self-directed learning. Three research questions were formulated to guide the researcher investigate the phenomena. An interview guide was used on a purposively selected population of 15 students from the three programs offered at the School of Distance and Lifelong Learning in Makerere University. The data for this qualitative research were analyzed for a descriptive using thematic analysis. From the findings there was a strong indication that students had access to various ICTs in their learning. Percentage of the students indicated that they did have the knowledge on how to navigate around these ICTs making their perceptions to be both negative and positive. This is a clear indication that most of the students did have basic idea on use of these ICT tools. The study also recommended that there is need for the Makerere University administration to provide more ICT facilities with the required ICT tools like computers, reliable database and software for students to effectively utilize them in their learning, needs to engage in negotiating subsidized provision of internet by service providers to strengthen and increase on the coverage internet connectivity and network and should also put in place a policy for students at the entry of the first academic year ensuring that each student at least owns an ICT gadget that would help in his or her independent learning. The overall findings revealed that the undergraduate students’ utilization of ICT tools for self-directed learning. Finally, further research is to be done on utilization of ICT facilities where such facilities are well established in other geographical areas of the University.