E-Learning platform preferences of graduate students of the University of Education

ABSTRACT

E-Learning has become an essential part of instruction delivery of Higher Education Institutions like the University of Education, Winneba in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19 whiles maintaining the social distance protocols. The roll-out of E-Learning has not been without challenges of cost, poor internet connectivity and easy accessibility. Inadequate student consultation as key stakeholders as also contibuted to the constraints of effective implementation of the system. There is little known of students’ E-Learning platform preferences in the University of Education, Winneba, especially among graduate students beginning the 2020/2021 academic year. Applying the Garrett Ranking technique to primary data from 164 graduate students in the Faculty of Educational Studies, we found that WhatsApp is the most prefered ELearning platform among the graduate students in the Faculty of Educational Studies in the university. The university authorities should consider adopting WhatsApp as one of platforms for engaging students during the pandemic due to its ease of use and convenience for the students.

Key Words COVID-19, E-Learning Platforms Preferences, Garrett Ranking, Graduate Students, University of Education, Winneba