ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF E-LEARNING ON ACADEMIC BEHAVIOR OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NIGERIA.

ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF E-LEARNING ON ACADEMIC BEHAVIOR OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NIGERIA.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Learning is a necessary part of human existence. A man learns something new every day of his life in order to survive in a changing environment. This is informal learning in the sense that man learns new things whenever he interacts with his surroundings. Learning, on the other hand, begins in the cradle and continues through school, college, universities, and the workplace in a formal learning scenario (Becker, 2000).

Education is a social artifact that embodies hopes for the well-being and growth of the society to which it is intended to contribute. Residents’ social, cultural, political, and economic well-being and progress are expected to benefit from education.

Education is widely regarded as a promoter of human development, and many consider it to be the most important factor.

The existence and concerns of any society’s heart. According to Botswana’s educational goals, secondary school graduates should have learned lifelong skills and be employable in the global village (Goode, 2010). As a result, students must excel academically or perform for the sake of the nation.

Academic performance refers to how well a student performs academically. Different factors influence academic performance, with some assisting it and others hindering it.

Many students can now educate and study on their own thanks to modern technology. As a result, students and learners can connect to classrooms from anywhere and receive lectures while remaining anonymous to their peers and teachers/lecturers. This breakthrough is associated with electronic learning (e-learning) and e-learning technology. E-Learning has been around since the 1990s.

has gained traction in education. Depending on who you ask, the definition of e-learning varies.

Online e-learning is defined by Goode (2010) as learning experiences that take place in synchronous or asynchronous environments using various electronic devices with internet access (e.g., computers, laptops, cellphones, etc.). E-learning is a catch-all term for any type of learning that involves the use of electronic communication. It is a broad term that refers to a wide range of ICT-based applications and activities, including computer-based learning, web-based learning, virtual classrooms, digital collaboration, and networking” (Crawford, E. & Kirby, M. 2008). It also refers to web-enabled teaching and learning. Other phrases that are frequently used together are: online learning, computer assisted learning, and ICT in education.

Online e-learning could be a platform for making money. to make the educational process more student-centered, innovative, and adaptable. Online course distribution is both cost-effective and convenient, especially for students in rural and remote areas. The United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) see online e-learning as a valuable tool for meeting educational needs, particularly in developing countries. To address this issue, medical schools have devised a number of novel solutions, including the use of software/apps such as Google Classroom, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams to deliver online classes. This virtual e-learning class was created to increase students’ conviction and trust in their faculty, not only to complete the course but also to stay in constant contact with the students. E-learning is used as a technology tool in a variety of settings.

ways at the university to influence and improve teaching and learning outcomes. With the use of e-learning, fields of knowledge will no longer be considered autonomous, but rather interdependent, with the potential for transformation (Ezekwe, Onwe & Udu 2014).

In a nutshell, e-learning in Nigeria’s educational system is still in its early stages. It is distinct from the traditional method of curriculum implementation. Apart from its use at the university, it aims to revolutionize, reform, and innovate in all aspects of education teaching and learning. E-learning has played an important role in improving students’ academic performance, with many students attributing their improved academic performance to it ( Bouchard, 2011).

1.2 THE PROBLEM’S STATEMENT

Despite the fact that e-learning is widely accepted and has aided in the construction of

Unlike the majority of Western countries’ virtual institutions, only a few universities in Nigeria entirely conduct their academic operations through e-learning (Eze et al., 2018). According to Bouchard (2011), the majority of people find it difficult to use e-learning, and for some, it is still a pipe dream due to poor and insufficient technical infrastructure. Most universities are not equipped to use modern technology for teaching; some lecturers lack technical knowledge and are unwilling to change and adapt.

Despite the fact that some students in Sub-Saharan Africa have access to modern technology, they primarily use it for entertainment and non-academic purposes. For these reasons, the purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of e-learning on academic performance.

behaviour (Cavusa, & Kanbulb, 2010). (Cavusa, & Kanbulb, 2010).

1.3 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this study is to assess the impact of e-learning on students’ academic behavior. Other objectives of this research include:

a) The effect of e-learning on student academic performance.

b) To investigate university students’ attitudes toward e-learning.

c) To identify the difficulties that students face when using e-learning.

1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH

This study will be guided by the research questions listed below.

a. What effects do e-learning students’ academic behavior have?

b. What are the attitudes of University students towards e-learning?

c. What are the challenges students face in using e-learning?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Ho1: There is no significant difference in students academic performance due to the influence of e-learning.

Ha1: There is significant

Students’ academic performance differs as a result of the influence of e-learning.

Ho2: Awareness of e-learning technology has no effect on undergraduate students’ use of it.

Ha2: Awareness of e-learning technology has no effect on undergraduate students’ use of it.

1.6 THE STUDY’S SIGNIFICANCE

This research will be very useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students because it will pique their interest in the use of e-learning technologies. This work will greatly benefit lecturers and scholars because they will understand the impact of e-learning technology.

Finally, this work will be preserved for future research and reference.

1.7 STUDY OBJECTIVES

This research will be conducted at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike. This research will only be conducted once.

Using undergraduates from five (5) faculties. Postgraduate students are not eligible.

This study will look at how e-learning technologies affect students’ academic behavior.

1.8 THE STUDY’S LIMITATIONS

Because the research will be limited to lecturers and students at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike, Abia state, the findings cannot be used in any other university.

This study will be limited to assessing the impact of e-learning on students’ academic behavior and will not offer solutions to e-learning problems. This study will be limited because this research was not conducted on postgraduate students.

1.9 TERM DEFINITION

evaluation: the act of evaluating someone or something

Influence is defined as the ability to

have an impact

E-learning refers to learning that takes place through the use of electronic media.

Behaviour: how a person acts or conducts himself

A student is someone who is enrolled in a university or another higher education institution.