THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA STUDENT’S VOICES ON e-LEANRING

Abstract

The rapid growth of Information Technology (IT) has made learning to happen very quickly. Keeping pace with these changes requires new outlook and deep thinking of how we should acquire knowledge and skills and the way how we should develop learning materials.  The advent of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the Internet has greatly influenced the way knowledge is conveyed.  This has resulted in the wide application of e-learning or (electronic learning.) In Education e- learning is referred to as the use of Information and Communication technologies. Elearning ranges from simple applications like e-mail, Internet searching, the use of CD and DVDs for learning purposes.   E-learning technologies have great potential in facilitating course delivery to students at OUT taking into account the spread of students all over the country and beyond; to date there are 32 OUT centres.  e-learning advantages has attracted OUT because the University sees it as an unavoidable strategy for quality and flexible education hence wider e-leaning application started in 2005/2006.Though elearning approach has good expectations for educational dissemination to OUT students, still its application is associated with many challenges. This study was carried out on 114 OUT students using a qualitative research approach. The aim was to identify the challenges facing students using eleaning in their learning process. The findings of the study revealed a number of challenges associated with     course delivery, distance, inadequate knowledge in the use of internet in searching materials, luck of computers and inadequate infrastructure, According to the findings, elearning does not seem to fulfill its mission as it was originally anticipated. The study recommends the use of print to be supplemented by electronic learning (e-learning). an orientation for new students on the use of computers and internet search for study materials.  Other issues are beyond the Open University implementation.