Factors influencing the adoption and effectiveness of e-learning by students in the Covid-19 pandemic. a case study of Makerere University, School of Statistics and Planning.

Abstract

The study focused to find out the factors affecting e learning service adoption and effectiveness in Makerere University School of Statistics and Planning with the investigation of students’ access to computer services, cost of internet, students most preferred method of learning, possession of computer skills, students’ age, possession of a computer, gender of the students, and their relationship with e learning service adoption and effectiveness at School of Statistics and Planning. The study used primary data with a sample size of 81 respondents that were selected using simple random sampling whose responses were collected using questionnaires as the data collection tools used analysis was done using frequency distribution tables, pie charts and bar graphs, cross tabulation and multinomial logistic regression. From the results, over half of the respondents (61.73%) were males and (38.27%) were females. Findings from the bivariate analysis showed that gender (p=0.021) had an association with e- learning service adoption and effectiveness but age(p= 0.412) and most preferred source of learning (p= 0.744) were not associated with e- learning service adoption and effectiveness. Based on the findings from the study the university should design sensitive programs in the availing and provision of e learning service with major considerations to females as gender was seen to have an influence in e learning service adoption and effectiveness. The university and other internet service providers should also find ways of finding cheap internet services to the student to enable them access the internet more easily.