E Learning Project
E Learning Project
E Learning Project
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
RESEACH PROJECT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
By
M. W. KUNENE
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
This study assesses the impact of e-learning on the teaching and learning process of learners
during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this chapter the background of the study, statement of the
problem, purpose of the study, research objectives and questions, as well as the significance
As defined by Guri-Rosenblit (2009), e-learning (short for electronic learning) is the use of
electronic media for a range of learning purposes, ranging from complementing functions in
According to Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2019), e-learning occurs via electronic means,
most often the Internet. E-learning requires learners to bring their own electronic devices;
such as computers, tablets, and mobile phones, while simultaneously allowing them to use
the school’s equipment. If learners have a compatible device and access to internet
connectivity, such as Wi-Fi, they may learn at any time or in any location through e-learning.
E-learning has been around since the 1960s but its adoption and popularization mainly started
after the popularization of the Internet and the web (Bezhovski & Poorani, 2016). The
scholars explain that since its inception, e-learning has grown rapidly in significance as an
educational tool. One of the main reasons for this is it gives students greater access to
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study from anywhere and at any time as well as being given the option to study part-time or
full-time (El-Seoud et al, 2014). As such, e-learning has transformed the educational sector
by enabling students to share information and data in a relatively easy way (Pustika, 2020).
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc in the education system. Since March 2020,
schools were shut down due to the lengthy lockdown period. However, unlike in previous
years, teachers have been allowed to teach, despite that schools are closed. The lockdown
scenarios have opened up a new manner of teaching and learning, and the traditional face-to-
Salleh, Ghazali, Ismail, Alias, and Rahim (2020) posit that most lecturers historically relied
on the actual presence of classrooms and materials to deliver their lessons. However, as
technology advances, lecturers can now use e-learning to teach learners at any time and from
any location. According to Allen and Seaman (2013), the world awoke in December 2019 to
an unpleasant surprise and a rapidly spreading fatal new viral pandemic from the corona virus
family that spread as an outbreak across the entire continent (Allen et al, 2016). This deadly
plague started in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China. The Centre for Disease Control and
Prevention (2019) suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has had and continues to exert
overwhelming effects on humans. These effects on human life are diverse and have far-
Eswatini, like other countries globally, went on partial lockdown to curb the spread of the
virus and all schools and tertiary institutions in the country were closed. Several attempts
were made to reopen schools and finally succeeded in July but only re-opening the Form 3
and Form 5 classes which were to write external examinations. Before this intervention, the
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learners were following the school curriculum on media platforms such as the internet as well
as, newspapers, radio, WhatsApp, and TV (Ali, Haolader & Muhammad, 2013).
Various newspaper articles were published as the country prepared to reopen schools safely
in March 2021. Learners continued to learn through television, radio and newspapers. In
Eswatini, radio was made the essential tool to facilitate education through educational
broadcasting, especially for the Form 3 and Form 5 classes (UNICEF 2020). However, the
effectiveness of e-learning in Eswatini is not known. Given the importance of e-learning for
education in the COVID-19 era in Eswatini, there is a need to explore its effectiveness among
learners.
UNICEF, Daries, and the Global Partnership for Education (2020) donated US $70,000 to
help Eswatini minimise the disruption to education caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
While the country prepares to reopen schools safely, children continue to learn through
E-learning has now been made the essential tool to facilitate education (Daries, UNICEF,
Valenzuela, 2020), especially for Form 3 and 5 classes. UNICEF with GPE financial aid,
supports the Ministry of Education and Training to develop and implement distance learning
programs through radio and TV. However, it is not known whether this method has a positive
or negative impact in the learning process for secondary school learners in rural and urban
contexts. Daries, UNICEF, and Valenzuela (2020), conducted a quick survey on Form 5
(Grade 12) learners from Ka-Schiele High school in Mbabane (Eswatini) where they found
that a majority of learners (13/17) participated in e-learning. The few that did not participate
in the programme noted that it was due to lack of commodities such as TV or radio including
the need for working to help their parents. While this study may be useful in providing a
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general picture on the use of e-learning, it must be noted that the data was only collected
through the show of hands in a small urban population of 17 participants. There is a need
therefore to conduct an empirical study with a much wider sample including both rural and
urban schools. This study, therefore, aims to assesses the impact of eLearning on the teaching
1.4 Purpose
The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of eLearning on teaching and learning of
1 To assess the impact of eLearning on assessment of teaching and learning activities for in
2 To assess the impact of eLearning on the delivery of content to learners in both rural and
urban contexts.
3 To assess learners’ ability to interact with teachers through eLearning in both rural and
4 To assess learners’ academic performance after the introduction of eLearning in rural and
2. What are the impacts of eLearning on the delivery of content to learners in both
3. What are learners’ abilities to interact with teachers through eLearning in both
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4. Was there a change in learners’ academic performance after the introduction of
E-Learning may be the new normal which may continue during COVID-19. There is a need
Practical significance: The results of the study provide insight on the effectiveness of
eLearning in the schools which took part in the study. In particular, the study identifies
possible corrective measures to improve their eLearning system. In addition, the results
learners’ feedback and expectations can help evaluate and enhance course delivery methods.
Policy significance: The education sector policy was revised in 2018 before the pandemic and
eLearning was highly implemented. This study will enable policymakers and administrators
to view the current change in the education sectors due to the pandemic and identify area
The study will only be conducted in 4 schools because of time and resources; hence the
According to World Health Organization Newsletter (2020), the following words can be
described as follows:
COVID-19 is caused by a corona virus called SARS-CoV-2. Older adults and people who
have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at
higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
Learning from home is a school-based distant and flexible learning model. Under this model
of learning schools continue to support the child with learning tasks and technology support.
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The educators remain in contact with the student. Learners remain enrolled at their usual
school.
especially during this pandemic, but they also have a distinct impact on secondary schools.
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CHAPTER 2
LITTERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This chapter reviews the various conceptual and theoretical ideas as well as empirical
evidence concerning the effects of eLearning. This will be done through relating the study to
Theoretical Framework
E-learning has several advantages. Learners who learn online have the freedom to choose
their own schedules, making eLearning self-paced. Self-paced learning has been shown in
studies by Sakkir, Dollah & Ahmad, (2021), to boost student happiness and minimize stress,
resulting in better learning results for all parties involved. Efficiency, effectiveness,
convenience, scalability, and reusability are just a few of the benefits of self-paced learning.
instructors. The capacity to develop and build fully student-centered online learning
environments is one of the most major benefits of E-Learning, (Sakkir, Dollah & Ahmad,
2021).
textbooks, and childcare (Sakkir, Dollah & Ahmad, 2021). Individual learner characteristics
are taken into consideration in e-learning, allowing pupils to practice their own unique
learning strategies. Because each child has a unique learning style, there will never be a one-
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size-fits-all method that will work for everyone at the same time. As a result, one of the most
approaches.
eLearning allows for the creation of personalized learning environments. Learners who do
not have a good learning environment will suffer in terms of academic achievement and
mental health. In E-Learning, learners have total control over their learning environment.
Analytics are widely used in e-learning. E-Learning utilizes student data far more effectively
than any other kind of education in history. This is due to E-Learning Analytics. E-Learning
Analytics is the process of obtaining relevant data from online learning management systems,
Teacher shortages may be alleviated through online learning. E-learning can decrease the
massive 3-million-strong teaching staff that now exists in the United States. Instead of
focusing on employing more teachers, perhaps the system could allow the greatest teachers to
use E-Learning to reach a larger range of learners (Lestiyanawati, 2020). Elearning is the new
and difficult process that is frequently ignored due to its complexity. In the case of E-
Learning, lessons may be delivered and updated quickly and efficiently, frequently within
days.
Evaluation always produces the true curriculum. However, this is one difficult area of
learning. This is because online unit of study coordinators and deliverers face different
restrictions and benefits when compared to more traditional means of delivery, e-learning
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Active participation in online learning activities is defined by the types of interaction between
the learner and himself, the learner and another learner, the learner and the instructor, the
learner and the content, and the learner interface, according to Chou, Peng, and Chang
(2010). Learning activities in the course include student content, student-instructor contact,
and student-student interaction (Gradel & Edson, 2010). Forums, message boards, online
forms of assignments, and wiki exercises are all now included in popular eLearning systems
as essential tools for interactive activities in the classroom. Teachers can utilize these
resources, such as status reports on submitted assignments, access data, and system activity
logs, to measure and track their learners' learning progress. Many studies have offered
methods for successfully enhancing learners' learning processes through interactive activities.
In his research, Evans and Sabry, (2003) employed three interactive tasks: pace control, self-
assessment, and interactive simulation. According to the outcomes of their research, learners
who engage more with the system obtain better results and take less time to learn
The research, however, did not include any extra interactive forms. There was no relationship
between different forms of interaction and learners' learning outcomes, contrary to what Eom,
Wen, & Ashill, (2006) claimed. Interactive online activities in a blended learning course,
Content distribution is one of the most challenging, but also one of the most important,
aspects of developing an online course. Because material is central to all courses, how it is
presented to learners has a substantial impact on their performance and enjoyment. The
optimal way to distribute information varies depending on the course, but regardless of the
platform you choose, there are some best practices that can be followed to ensure that your
learners receive the content they need to succeed. Many of the best practices for delivering
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online information are also applicable to delivering face-to-face content, (Damianov,
Organize your lectures in a logical sequence. If you give each lesson in a simple and logical
manner, learners will understand the purpose. This will also make it easier to understand and
retain the material. Make the content enjoyable to read. It is important to engage learners in
both face-to-face and online contexts with the course. Making the course engaging motivates
learners to study more and enhances their chances of success. It is critical to maintain the
(Schrire, 2006).
When designing lectures, include just what learners need to know to succeed in the course,
and avoid spending too much time on unimportant issues. Maintain attention by focusing on
one essential topic every class and providing a thorough explanation of that issue. Because
learners' attention spans are considerably shorter in an online classroom than in a face-to-face
environment, brevity is a virtue. Learners are more likely to pay attention if longer lectures
are divided into sections. Wherever possible, provide course content visually rather than
Furthermore, the forms of communication between learners in the course are getting more
diverse and efficient because of the supporting technology. Discussion forums, according to
Dawson and colleagues (Dawson, E., & Tan, 2008), account for 80 percent of participation in
online learning contexts. However, no studies have been done to investigate the influence of
activities conducted through the forum on learning outcomes. According to Schrire (2006),
kids do better academically when they engage in dialogues with their classmates rather than
the teacher.
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2.6 Learners’ ability to interact with coursework and teachers through eLearning
There are three types of interaction believed to be important in eLearning courses. These are
interaction. A question could be raised about the empirical evidence to support the claim that
student to-student interaction is essential in distance education. The seven principles were
developed from research on face-to-face undergraduate classes taught during the 1960s, 70s,
and 80s. The learners of that era could be different from the learners of today, (Soller, 2004).
Researchers have long pointed out the importance of student interactions in the teaching and
learning process. Vygotsky (1978) states collaborative learning is necessary in building one's
own cognitive process. Among group members, if they cannot share their knowledge
Centered Psychological Principles in the 1990s as a guideline for the elements that influence
learning (APA Work Group of the Board of Educational Affairs, 1997). It was built on 14
principles, which were split into four categories: cognitive and metacognitive variables,
motivational and affective elements, developmental and social factors, and individual
variations factors. Principle 11 is closely related to concerns about student interaction under
the developmental and social components. It asserts that social interactions, interpersonal
the notion that good interactions with other learners and allowing them to learn from one
another in a trusting atmosphere improve learning, as one of the concepts has been repeatedly
Based on the same concept, some academics propose for the establishment of an online
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participation, online presence, and controlled dialogues, the creation of an online community
community is a major indicator of success in online courses (Bender, 2003; Salmon, 2001).
According to Swan (2003), one of the five categories of interactivity is learners' interactions
Learning content design is getting more diverse in terms of forms and ways to communicate
the sense of excitement generated for learners to study because of the support tools. It became
clear that developing an online course that encourages student inquiry and reflection required
far more thought, time, and effort than had been anticipated, (Moallem, 2003). With just
human will ascribed to it, content is the most flexible of actors, willing to engage in any
The information gathered during an eLearning evaluation must demonstrate whether teaching
& Willis, 2001; Kennedy, 2003). An in-depth student questionnaire on the perceived utility of
technologies in each given course; an in-depth study of e-learning use, including content
analysis, discussion forum postings, wikis, and blogs; and focus group interviews with
learners on e-learning usage in any given course. This assessment program may give
evidence for the success or failure of the eLearning technique since the analysis of e-learning
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material and activities may be done in terms of, for example, specified criteria for making
Summary
Where is the summary for this section? There is also no theoretical framework as a lens for
looking at this topic. Generally, the whole literature review reads like material that is cut and
pasted from elsewhere. I do not get the sense that you are engaging in any way with the
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CHAPTER 3:
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
This chapter focuses on the methodology used when conducting the study. It looks at the
research design, population, sample, and sampling procedures. It further focuses on the
research instruments, data collection procedures, management of data and data analysis plan.
This study employed descriptive design through quantitative approach to assess the impacts
of eLearning on the teaching and learning of learners during the covid 19 pandemic. the study
will assess the impact of e-learning on the teaching and learning process of learners during
The study will be conducted in four schools, two will selected in rural areas and the other two
The study will be conducted in four schools, two in the rural area and two in urban area. The
four schools have a total 889 learners combined in form 3 and form 5, and a total population
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3.3.2 Type of sampling
Sampling procedure is choosing part of a population to use to test hypotheses about the entire
population, used to choose the number of participants, interviews, or work samples to use in
the assessment process (Edwards, 2017). The study employed random sampling whereby
student doing form 3 and 5 were selected to participate in the study, as well as teachers
teaching those grades. Any student met within the boundaries of the area of study who were
at doing either form 3 or 5 and teachers who taught either from 3 or from 5.
a) Learners who will be doing any other grades besides form 3 and 5
b) Teachers who will be teaching any other grades besides form 3 and form 5
Sample size refers to a set of participants selected from a larger population of the purpose of
the study (Creswell, 2014). A sample is a subset of the total population that is of interest for
the study topic. This “total” population is called the target population, to which the results of
the study can be generalized Omair, (2014). Since it is not possible to include everyone in the
proposed study, thus a certain number of participants from the population will be selected
(Yin, 2016).
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The sample size was acquired through the Raosoft calculator, which is a statistical software
used to determine sample size with a confidence interval of 95% and a margin of error of 5%.
The total number of learners in the selected schools doing form 3 and form 5 were 889 as per
the school’s statistics report, and teachers teaching those grades were 48, hence making the
The data collection tool for the proposed study will be questionnaires which will be
3.5 Reliability
repeatability of the project’s data collection, interpretation and or analysis. Reliability will be
compared to the area of study. Questioners will be distributed to a group of learners like the
1. It will be administered to subject the same way it will administered in the main study.
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hand. Participants will be allowed to ask for clarity if there is something they did not
understand.
Questionnaires will be checked for completeness before data is entered into the computer.
Data will be stored in flash disks and kept secure in a locked cupboard. Only the researchers
Data will be entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20
(SPSS 20) and Microsoft excel. Bar graphs and charts will be used to present the analyzed
data.
Permission to conduct the study will be obtained from the head teacher of each school.
After completion of the study the results will communicated through presentation at the
faculty. A copy will also be given to the supervisor, another will be made available at the
This chapter presents the research design, research approach, sample size and the sample
technique, the data collection methods and instruments, data analysis. Lastly, the chapter has
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