We need to adopt e-learning going forward

Journalism and Communication students of Uganda Christian University (UCU) reading academic content via e-learning platforms. PHOTO/COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Online sit-in exams are a new experience. There were different ways in which we studied or even wrote exams.

As the country gears up for the reopening of education institutions for finalists, under strict observance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), this is also an opportunity to assess the concept of e-learning. 

In March, I returned to Uganda following the indefinite closure of academic institutions by the government of Kenya in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19.  

Following the closure of education institutions, our university immediately embraced e-learning, a system that had not been used before. I enrolled for my first online-based semester in May, which ended in August, with exams. 
The assessment was by taking assignments and online sit-in exams. 

Virtual classes are different from real classes. In my virtual classes, I listened to the lecturer and interacted with classmates without seeing them since we all preferred to have our cameras off. 

I have always been a library interested kind of student, who studies or works on assignments in quiet environment. Now here I was attending class from home, working on my school projects in my room as everyone else at home went on with their own business. 

In e-learning, discipline is important because, during the Zoom or Google classroom lectures, the lecturer cannot see what the students are doing since the cameras are always off.  To keep students in check, lectures ask them questions randomly to find out if we the students are actually still listening.

When my parents and I learnt that the semester would be offered online, our biggest concern after tuition was the high cost of Internet services in Uganda. 

We, therefore, had to search for a cost-friendly internet provider. In the process of searching, we discovered that the quality of internet connectivity also depends on the location and time of the day. Areas near Kampala City have more effective internet. 

Despite choosing the most ideal provider, I occasionally faced connectivity hitches during the online classes. As a student of journalism, I had to shoot short documentaries and news stories as practical assignments. 

Uploading and sending these videos would take a couple of hours, which was frustrating. There was a time I stayed up from 12 midnight to 6 in morning just to attach and send 7 videos to my lecturer. I had failed to send them earlier on because of poor connectivity during the day. 

Online sit-in exams are a new experience. There were different ways in which we wrote the exams. In some, our cameras, were turned on for supervision by the lecturers. 

The cameras enable lectures to notice unnecessary movements or cheating if it was not an open book exam. An exam software called Respondus Lock-Down, is used. 

The software blocks one from accessing any other site on their computer besides the one where the exam is posted. The exam automatically submits it’s self once the allocated time expires. 

I have been fortunate enough to continue with school even with the current state of events. Would I rather be in physical class? Yes, of course, but for now, that will have to wait.

With Covid-19, so much has changed. We have to adjust and move forward. Would e-learning be feasible in Uganda? Yes. I am a living example and am sure there are many more. Can it work for every student in Uganda currently? 

I do not think we are ready yet. Our schools and teachers are not equipped with the skills and equipment to administer e-learning on a large scale. Not all students have a laptop or smartphone. The average internet cost of Shs100,000 is very high for many families. 

I also feel that virtual learning creates a barrier of some sort between students and teachers. It also limits student interaction, which occurs in physical the traditional classroom. 

When you put all this and other aspects into consideration you realise a lot needs to be done for E-Learning to work. We have a long way to go but this should not stop us from making baby steps.

AUTHOR: Ms Taaka K. Wandera is an undergraduate student at United States International University, Nairobi |[email protected]