American Journal of Educational Research
ISSN (Print): 2327-6126 ISSN (Online): 2327-6150 Website: https://www.sciepub.com/journal/education Editor-in-chief: Ratko Pavlović
Open Access
Journal Browser
Go
American Journal of Educational Research. 2020, 8(9), 653-658
DOI: 10.12691/education-8-9-6
Open AccessArticle

Virtual Learning and Readiness of Tutors of Colleges of Education in Ghana

Brain Aheto-Domi1, , Sumaila Issah2 and Jacqueline Edem Akosua Dorleku3

1Department of Vocational Education, Peki College of Education, Peki, Ghana

2Department of Creative Art, Bia Lamplighter College of Education, Sefwi Debiso, Ghana

3Department of Education, St. Francis College of Education, Hohoe, Ghana

Pub. Date: September 14, 2020

Cite this paper:
Brain Aheto-Domi, Sumaila Issah and Jacqueline Edem Akosua Dorleku. Virtual Learning and Readiness of Tutors of Colleges of Education in Ghana. American Journal of Educational Research. 2020; 8(9):653-658. doi: 10.12691/education-8-9-6

Abstract

COVID 19 has thrown a new challenge to tutors in the colleges of education in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to examine tutors’ readiness in the use of virtual/digital learning classrooms in the Colleges of Education in Ghana. The study employed an analytical survey design. The study targeted tutors in the colleges of education in Ghana. The sample size for the study was 590 (495 tutors and 95 students). Focused group discussion was used to validate the data obtained from the tutors that is why the tutor number is greater than that of the students. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire and focused-group discussion. The hypotheses formulated for the study were tested using Pearson point-biserial correlation coefficient. The study found that tutors have not acquired any formal training in how to do the blended learning and also use virtual learning platforms in their lesson deliveries. The study also revealed that tutors’ pedagogical skills in delivering virtual lessons have a positive relationship on students’ achievement. The study recommended that tutors should be adequately trained on how to use virtual learning platforms. The study again recommended that all colleges of education should have a robust LMS that would curb future occurrences, and policies on LMS should be implemented.

Keywords:
virtual learning ICT ICT tools education teaching learning tutors SAMR learning management system

Creative CommonsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]  Dendev, B. (2010). World Report on TVET the promise and potential of ICT in TVEThttps://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/47be/e601d3ccc6504f5a4f9 a5e6cb1a7f09d7c7c.pdf retrieved May 10, 2020.
 
[2]  UNESCO Institute for Information and Communication Technologies in Education. (2011). ICTs and indigenous people: Policy brief. Retrieved May 12, 2020, from http://iite.unesco.org/pics/publications/ en/files/3214689.pdf.
 
[3]  UNESCO (2011). Questionnaire on Statistics of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) In Education Academic Year Ending (July 2010), 1-10.
 
[4]  Platt, C. A., Raile, A. N., & Yu, N. (2014). Virtually the same? Student perceptions of the equivalence of online classes to face-to-face classes. Journal of Online Learning & Teaching, 10(3), 489-503.
 
[5]  Falch, M. (2004). A Study on Practical Experiences with using E-learning Methodologies and Cooperative Transnational Development Methodology. Technical University of Denmark, Center for Tele-Information. CTI Working Papers, No. 97.
 
[6]  Nichols, M. (2008). E-Learning in context. E-Primer Series, 2869(1), 1-28. Retrieved from http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&btnG=Search&q=intitle:E- Learning+in+Context#2.
 
[7]  Addah, K., Kpebu, D., & Kwapong, O. A. T. F. (2012). Promoting e-learning in distance education programs in an African Country. InTech. Retrieved from: http://www.intechopen.com/books/e- learning-long-distance-and-lifelong-perspectives/promoting-e- learning-in-distance-education-programmes-in-an-African- country.
 
[8]  Gillingham, M., & Molinari, C. (2012). Online Courses: Student Preferences Survey. Internet Learning, 1(1), 36-44. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.apus.edu/internetlearning/vol1/iss1/4.
 
[9]  Jadhav, M. S & Patankar, S. P (2013). Role of Teachers’ in Curriculum Development for Teacher Education retrieved May 22, 2020 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258023165.
 
[10]  Desjardins, F. J., Lacasse, R., & Belair, L. M. (2001). Toward a definition of four orders of competency for the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education. Paper presented at the Computers and Advanced Technology in Education, Banff, Canada. http://eilab.ca/wp-content/uplaods/2013/04/2001CATE.pdf.
 
[11]  Desjardins, F. J., Davidson, A.-L., Blayone, T., vanOostveen, R., & Childs, E. (2015). General Technology Competency and Use: Foundations. Informa- tion Poster. University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Oshawa, Canada. Retrieved from http://eilab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/GTCU-Poster-V2-2000px.jpg.
 
[12]  A Survey of ICT Capacity in Ghana's Public Colleges of Education (2017). Mott MacDonald Limited trading as Cambridge Education. Registered in England and Wales no. 1243967.
 
[13]  Avedian, A. (2014). Survey design. Harvard Law School.
 
[14]  Kassah, J. K., Kemevor, A. K., & Gbadagba, G (2019). Project Method of Teaching Visual Arts and Teacher Trainees Content Knowledge Achievements in Ghana Colleges of Education.” American Journal of Educational Research, vol. 7, no. 6 (2019): 381-385.
 
[15]  Babbie, E. (2005). The basics of social research (3rded.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
 
[16]  Twum, (2013). Influence of Using Mobile Phone Technologies on Science Students’ Academic Performance in Selected Ghanaian Public University (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Nairobi, Kenya: Kenyatta University.
 
[17]  Alvi, M. (2016). A manual for selecting sampling techniques in research. University of Karachi, Iqra University.
 
[18]  Anum, G. (2017). Research Instruments for Data Collection. Department of Fine Art and Media Art Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
 
[19]  Kok Eng, T. (2013). Adapting or adopting an instrument for your study. School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
 
[20]  Hawkins, R. J. (2002). Ten lessons for education in the developing world: World Links for Development Program - The World Bank Institute. Retrieved from: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/apcity/unpan008676.pdf.
 
[21]  Gakio, K. (2006). “African Tertiary Institutions Connectivity Survey (ATICS) 2006 Report.” http://www.gesci.org/files/Connectivity%20in%20African%20tert iary%20institutions.pdf.
 
[22]  Isaacs, S. & Hollow, D., (eds) 2012, “The eLearning Africa 2012 Report”, ICWE, Germany.
 
[23]  Alem, F. (2014). Students online readiness assessment tools: A systematic review approach. The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 12(4), 375-283.
 
[24]  Attwell, G. and Hughes, J. (2010). Pedagogic Approaches to Using Technology for Learning. (Pontydysgu) for Lifelong Learning. UK. Retrieved from http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk.
 
[25]  Rhode, J. F. (2004). Roles & responsibilities of the online learner. Retrieved June 23rd, 2020 from http://www.Slide share.net
 
[26]  Watkins, R., Leigh, D., & Triner, D. (2004). Assessing readiness for e- learning. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 17(4), 66-79.
 
[27]  Huang, R. T. (2009). Factors that influence online learners’ intent to continue in an online graduate program. (Unpublished dissertation, Louisiana State University).
 
[28]  Tagoe, M. (2012). Students’ perceptions on incorporating e-learning into teaching and learning at the University of Ghana. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT), 8(1), 91-103.
 
[29]  Singh, H. (2003). Building effective blended learning programs. Educational Technology, 43(6), 51–54.
 
[30]  Arthur-Nyarko, E. (2017). Learner characteristics and responsiveness to E-learning delivery in selected distance education institutions in Ghana. School of Education, Kenyatta University.
 
[31]  Unwin, T., Kleessen, B., Hollow, D., Williams J., Oloo L. M., Alwala J. & et al. (2008). Digital Learning Management Systems in Africa: rhetoric and reality. Retrieved fromhttp://www.scribd.com/singleuser/d/62897646-Digital-LMS- in-Aferica-Rhetoric-and-Reality.
 
[32]  Barajas, M. & Owen M. (2000a). “Implementing Virtual Learning Environments. Looking for a Holistic Approach. Educational Technology & Society, 3(3), 39-53.