The Influence of Level of Training in LMS and Student Utilization of LMS in Public Universities in Tanzania

Authors

  • Damas Benjamin Mahali The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
  • Dr. Peter Changilwa United States International University – Africa
  • Dr. Jared Anyona The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of students’ and lecturers’ level of training in LMS on utilization of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) in selected public universities in Tanzania. Evidence from literature shows that although public universities in Tanzania are facilitated with the necessary technological infrastructure to enable student utilization of LMSs in learning, the adoption and utilization of LMSs across Tanzanian university curricula remains a challenge. In order to investigate level of training in LMS as a possible factor for the low adoption and utilization of LMS, convergent parallel mixed methods research design was employed. Data were collected through questionnaires, interview guides and an observation checklist. The target population consisted of 65,950 students, 53 deans, 83 heads of departments, 1,810 lecturers and 247 ICT staff from the selected Universities. Proportional quota sampling technique was used to select 398 students, 328 lecturers, 10 Deans, 10 HODs and 10 ICT Staff members to take part in the study. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed and reported as narrative stories and excerpts. The findings of the study revealed that level of training positively and significantly influenced Utilization of LMS (β=0.634, p=0.000). The study concluded that, there exists a positive and significant relationship between level of training and the utilization of LMS by students in public universities in Tanzania. Based on the findings and the conclusions the study recommended that the managements of the public universities in Tanzania should enhance the training programmes in LMS utilization for students and lecturers as one way of motivating the students and the staff to utilize the LMS in teaching and learning.

Key Words: Training, Learning Management Systems, Utilization, Public University

Author Biographies

Damas Benjamin Mahali, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

PhD Candidate

Dr. Peter Changilwa, United States International University – Africa

Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Dr. Jared Anyona, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Lecturer, Department of Post Graduate Studies

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Published

2019-12-05

How to Cite

Mahali, D. B., Changilwa, D. P., & Anyona, D. J. (2019). The Influence of Level of Training in LMS and Student Utilization of LMS in Public Universities in Tanzania. Journal of Education, 2(4), 19–46. Retrieved from https://stratfordjournals.org/journals/index.php/journal-of-education/article/view/396

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