Usage Behavior of eLearning in Tanzanian Tertiary Institutions: Experience from the College of Business Education (CBE)

Abstract

The study investigated usage behaviour of eLearning in tertiary institutions in Tanzania, an experience from students at the College of Business Education. The objective of the study was to identify current practices of eLearning implementation among students in tertiary institutions; to identify factors influencing students‟ acceptance of eLearning in tertiary institutions. The Kish‟s 1965 formula for cross-sectional studies for sample size employed to determine the proportional sample of 599 which was calculated from the respective institutions. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 533 who were administered questionnaires, however in a process of data collection 30 students were conveniently selected for interviews and 4 eLearning coordinators as well as 4 librarians were also purposely selected for interview. Other secondary data was obtained through documentary reviews. The thematic analysis used to analyse qualitative data, while the quantitative data was analysed through use of SPSS to derive frequencies and percentages. The finding revealed factors impedes the integration and students „acceptance of eLearning in tertiary institutions are; lack of the requisite ICT infrastructures supports eLearning, factors associated to cultural learning styles, technological challenges, pedagogical eLearning challenges, lack of technical training and time management. The study further recommends the following; the need for eLearning creation students‟ awareness campaigns and the instructors; the need to establish standards policies or institutional guidelines guiding student for eLearning implementations; the need to allocate adequate budgets for eLearning supports; and the need to strengthen ICT infrastructures.