FRESHERS’ EXPERIENCES OF ONLINE LEARNING AT A ZAMBIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY:

Dingase E. Mtonga; Charity Meki Kombe; Estella Mwendalubi Mulenda Chali

Dingase E. Mtonga Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia School of Education https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9456-8830
Charity Meki Kombe Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia School of Education https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3207-6598
Estella Mwendalubi Mulenda Chali Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia School of Business Studies

Keywords: Benefits, challenges, experiences, first year students, online learning

Abstract

This paper reports on the experiences of online learning by first year students (freshers) at a public university in Zambia. Particularly, it focusses on students’ perceptions regarding the benefits and challenges of online learning as well as suggestions for improvement. The paper is based on empirical data derived from an online questionnaire completed by 293 first year students from all the university faculties who volunteered to respond to the questionnaire. The collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that first year students found online learning valuable in a number of ways, although it was marred by numerous challenges. The paper concludes with suggestions on how online learning for first year students could be improved.

FRESHERS’ EXPERIENCES OF ONLINE LEARNING AT A ZAMBIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY:

BENEFITS, CHALLENGES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Abstract