Evaluation of the effectiveness of e-learning systems in public universities: case of Kenyatta University, Kenya

Abstract

Academic institutions across the world and specifically m Kenya have welcomed the revolution of modern Information Communication Technology (ICT) and are increasingly spending for delivering their courses to students electronically. However, despite the implementation of these technologies as content delivery channels, students have different perceptions in regard to E-Iearning systems. The research project was based on a case study of Kenyatta University (KU) which uses a Moodie E-Iearning platform. Evaluation of the E-learning system in Kenyatta University was done so as to establish its success from the students' perspective and validate the E-Iearning Success Model in this context. The researcher chose this Model because it makes the process approach explicit to measure and assesses success and also includes success metrics developed specifically for the E-Iearning context being investigated. Using quantitative methods, specifically a survey questionnaire based on the five- point Likert scale, students' responses regarding the overall use of the system were gathered. Further more, the Clyde and LeePost's E-Iearning Success Model was tested. The findings of the study revealed that the system under study was quite successful from the student's point of view and six factors of the E-Iearning success model were closely inter related. The E-Iearning model was also found to be well structured and suitable to measure success of E-Iearning systems in the Kenyan context. The hypothesis that success of system design is essential to the success of system delivery, which, in turn, affects the success of system outcome, was found to be supported. Understanding the problems relating to education and training in an E-Iearning environment and how the problems can be addressed should help the country (Kenya) develop more effective policies and systems to ensure that current and future systems are both effective and sustainable. This research on the success of the E-learning system has identified that other factors need to be considered besides just providing access and implementing the technology. The extra measurement items added by the researcher besides the ones in the research model were found to be essential in determining the success of the E-Iearning. Identifying important success factors, this research enables new, as well as more experienced E-Iearning project leaders, to have higher chances to succeed in E-Iearning implementation and use in their Institutions/organizations