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. 2021, 9(7), 396-403
DOI: 10.12691/education-9-7-1
Open AccessArticle

Teacher Trainees Readiness for E-learning in Colleges of Education in Ghana

Brain Aheto-Domi1, , Patrique deGraft-Yankson2, Christopher Addo3 and George Kwamla Bimpeh3

1Department of Technical and Vocational Education, Peki College of Education, P. O. Box 14, Peki Volta Region, Ghana

2Dean of School of Creative Art, University of Education, Winneba, P. O. Box 25, Winneba, Ghana

3Department of Educational Studies, Peki College of Education, P. O. Box 14, Peki Volta Region, Ghana

Pub. Date: July 01, 2021

Cite this paper:
Brain Aheto-Domi, Patrique deGraft-Yankson, Christopher Addo and George Kwamla Bimpeh. Teacher Trainees Readiness for E-learning in Colleges of Education in Ghana. American Journal of Educational Research. 2021; 9(7):396-403. doi: 10.12691/education-9-7-1

Abstract

Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, the study investigated college students’ readiness for online learning from seven colleges of education in Ghana’s Volta and Oti Regions (UTAUT). The study focused on college students’ eLearning readiness and their perceptions of eLearning in Ghana. The descriptive phenomenological research design was used in this study. Using the convenience sampling technique, seven colleges were chosen from a pool of forty-six colleges of education. The participants were interviewed through WhatsApp and Telegram chats. For this study, the phenomenological data analysis process developed by Colaizzi was used. The findings were organized into the following themes: Adaptability Struggle, The New Digital Divide, A shift in teacher professional development, A shift in teacher professional development, Interactivity, and Time Management. According to the findings, colleges used Google Classroom, WhatsApp, Edmodo, and Telegram for learning and teaching. It was discovered that students face internet connectivity issues, accessibility issues, poor time management, adaptability challenges, technical support issues, high cost of internet bundle challenges with smart devices, and disruption as a result of the need to assist with other domestic activities. Due to the numerous challenges associated with online learning, college students suggest that the teaching and learning should be done in conjunction with face-to-face learning (blended learning) or suspended entirely.

Keywords:
UTAUT time management connectivity and interactivity adaptability struggle The New Digital Divide and ePedagogy

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]  Aheto-Domi, B., Issah, S., & Dorleku, J. E. A. (2020). Virtual learning and readiness of tutors of colleges of education in Ghana. American Journal of Educational Research, 8(9), 653-658.
 
[2]  Arthur-Nyarko, E., & Kariuki, M. G. (2019). Learner access to resources for eLearning and preference for eLearning delivery mode in distance education programmes in Ghana. International Journal of Educational Technology, 6(2), 1-8.
 
[3]  Mosadegh, H., Kharazi, K., & Bazargan, A. (2011). Conducting feasibility of e-learning in gas companies in Yazd province. Journal of Science and Technology Information, 3, 547-569.
 
[4]  Asunka, S. (2008). Online learning in higher education in sub-Saharan Africa: Ghanaian University students’ experiences and perceptions. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 9(3), 1-23.
 
[5]  Okhovati, M., Sharifpoor Ghahestani, E., Islami Nejad, T., Hamzezadeh Marzooni, M., & Motamed Jahroomi M. (2015). Attitude, knowledge, and skill of Medical students toward E-Learning in Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Education Strategies in Medical Sciences, 8(1), 51-58.
 
[6]  Nasiri, F. S., Ghanbari, S., Ardalan, M. R., & Karimi, I. (2014). Effect of infrastructure and faculty readiness in effective implementation of e-Learning based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Education Strategies in Medical Sciences, 7(5), 329-338.
 
[7]  Mahdiuon, R., Ghahramani, M., Farasatkhah, M., & Abolghasemi, M. (2011). The quality of learning and its effective factors within academic E-Learning centers: A qualitative study. Journal of Academic Librarianship and Information, 45(4), 77-100.
 
[8]  Akaslan, D., Law, E. L. C. (2011). Measuring student E-learning readiness: A Case about the subject of electricity in higher education institutions in Turkey. In: Proceedings of the 10th International conference on advances in Web Based Learning (ICWL) Hong Kong, China, LNCS, vol. 7048, pp. 209-218. Springer, Berlin.
 
[9]  Tubaishat, A., Lansari, A. (2011). Are students ready to adopt E-learning? A preliminary E-readiness study of a University in the Gulf Region. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research 1, 210-215.
 
[10]  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.
 
[11]  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.
 
[12]  Henaku, E. A. (2020). COVID-19: Online learning experience of college students: The case of Ghana. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Sciences and Advanced Technology Vol 1 Special Issue No 2 (2020) 54-62.
 
[13]  Morrow, R., Rodriguez, A., & King, N. (2015). Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method. The psychologist, 28(8), 643-644.
 
[14]  Gaffas, Z. M. (2019). Students’ perceptions of the impact of EGP and ESP courses on their English language development: Voices from Saudi Arabia. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 42, 1-13.
 
[15]  Fishman, B. J., Marx, R. W., Best, S., & Tal, R. (2003). Linking teacher and student learning to improve professional development in systemic reform. Teaching and Teacher Education, 19(6), 643-658.
 
[16]  Guskey, T. R. (2005). Taking a second look: Strong evidence reflecting the benefits of professional development is more important than ever before. Journal of Staff Development, 26(1), 10-18.
 
[17]  Bernard, S. (2011). Crossing the digital divide: Bridges and barriers to digital inclusion. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-divide-technology-access-inclusion.
 
[18]  U.S. Department of Education. (2010). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning: A meta-analysis and review of online learning studies.
 
[19]  Astleitner, H. & Steinberg, R. (2005). Are there gender differences in web-based learning? An integrated model and related effect sizes. AACE Journal, 13 (1), 47-63.
 
[20]  Lu, J., Yu, C. S., & Liu, C. (2003). Learning style, learning patterns and learning performance in a WebCT-based MIS course. Information & Management, 40, 497-507.
 
[21]  Ory, J. C., Bullock, C., & Burnaska, K. (1997). Gender similarity in the use of and attitudes about ALN in a university setting. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 1 (1), 1-17.
 
[22]  Sierra, C., & Wang, M. (2003). Gender, discourse style, and equal participation in online learning. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of E-Learn 2002 Conference (pp. 2364-2367), Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
 
[23]  Chyung, S. Y. (2007). Age and gender differences in online behavior, self-efficacy and academic performance. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 8 (3), 213-222.
 
[24]  Gunn, C., McSporran, M., Macleod, H., & French, S. (2003). Dominant or different? Gender issues in computer supported learning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7, 14-30.
 
[25]  Price, L. (2006). Gender differences and similarities in online courses: challenging stereotypical views of women. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 22, 349-359.
 
[26]  Rovai, A. P., & Baker, J. D. (2005). Gender differences in online learning: Sense of community, perceived learning, and interpersonal interactions. The quarterly review of distance education, 6 (1), 31-44.
 
[27]  Sullivan, P. (2001). Gender differences and the online classroom: male and female college students evaluate their experiences. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 25, 805-818.
 
[28]  Taplin, M., & Jegede, O. (2001). Gender differences in factors influencing achievement of distance education students. Open Learning, 16 (2), 133-154.
 
[29]  McSporran, M. & Young, S. (2001). ‘Does gender matter in online learning?’ in association of learning technology journal, 9: 2, 3-14.
 
[30]  Xu, D. & Jaggars, S.S. (2013). Adaptability to online learning: Differences across types of students and academic subject areas. Retrieved 3/01/2021 from https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/publications/adaptability-to-online-learning.html.
 
[31]  Warschauer, M. (2003). Technology and social inclusion [electronic resource]: rethinking thedigital divide / Mark Warschauer. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, c2003. Retrieved from http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat01034a&AN=nu.10225286&site=eds-live.
 
[32]  Wilson, E., 2004. The information revolution and developing countries. MIT press, Cambridge, MA., accessed online via Google Books on the 6th May 2021.
 
[33]  Fidalgo, P., Thorman, J., Kulyk, O & Lencastre, J. A. (2020). Students’ perceptions on distance education: A multinational study. Retrieved from https://educationaltechnologyjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41239-020-00194-2.
 
[34]  Garrison, D. R. (2000). Theoretical challenges for distance education in the 21st century: A shift from structural to transactional issues. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 1(1), 1-17.
 
[35]  Berge, Z. (2002). Active, interactive and reflective eLearning. In the quarterly review of distance education, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp 181-190.
 
[36]  Hirumi, A. (2002). A framework for analyzing, designing and sequencing planned eLearning interactions. In the quarterly review of distance education. Vol. 3, No. 2, pp 141-160.
 
[37]  Herrington, A., Herrington, J., Oliver, R., Stoney, S., Willis, J., (2001). Quality guidelines for online courses: the development of an instrument to audit online units. http://ro.ecu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5814&context=ecuworks.
 
[38]  Clark, R., & Mayer, R. E. (2011). E-learning and the science of instruction [electronic resource]: proven guidelines for consumers and designers of multimedia learning / Ruth Colvin Clark, Richard E. Mayer. San Francisco, Calif.: Pfeiffer, 2011. Hall, B. (2013, May 17). Smartphones have bridged the digital divide [Web blog]. Retrieved from http://readwrite.com/2021/02/17/smartphones-have-bridged-the-digitaldivide#feed=/author/brian-s-hall&awesm=~o9sE3cAylgBANm.
 
[39]  Li, C., & Irby, B. (2008). An overview of online education: Attractiveness, benefits, challenges, concerns and recommendations. College Student Journal, 42(2), pp. 449-458.