Undergraduate students' perception on e-learning systems during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria

Abstract

Covid-19 has forced many educational institutions to adopt e-learning as an alternative to physical classroom learning. However, the concern of critical stakeholders in higher educational institutions on the adoption and usage of e-learning system, especially in the developing countries continue to increase recently, due to various challenges facing the sector. This study investigates perception of undergraduate students in University of Ilorin, Nigeria on use of e-learning systems during Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, this study sought to identify factors that influence the use of e-learning systems, investigates the perception of students on the quality of e-learning systems used, assesses the attitude of their lecturers towards the use of the e-learning system during the pandemic. A three stage sampling techniques including purposive, random and proportionate were employed with a total number of 333 students as respondents using a quantitative research approach. The analysis of the data collected was done using descriptive statistics including mean. The results of the study revealed that e-learning system use among University of Ilorin students is high, but highly influenced by the decision of the school management to employ e-learning system as only approach for teaching during the pandemic. It further revealed that the perception of students on the quality of system used is high, while their lecturers' attitude towards the use of e-learning facilities is positive. The study concluded that adoption of e-learning system for continue education during Covid-19 pandemic was a success at the University of Ilorin. It however suggested a blended learning approach (virtual and face-to-face) and recommended more investment from educational stakeholders to sustain e-learning beyond Covid-19 period.

Keywords: COVID-19; Digital education; E-learning use; ICT; Students perception.