A preliminary study on students' readiness for e-Learning at UPNG Open College

1. A preliminary study on
students’ readiness for e-
Learning at
UPNG Open College
Kipli Joan Minol*, Yoshifumi Chisaki and Tsuyoshi Usagawa
Graduate School of Science and Technology
Kumamoto University

2. Outline
1. Introduction
2. Aims of Study
3. Methodology
4. Findings
5. Discussion
6. Recommendations
7. Conclusion
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3. 1. Introduction
• What is e-Learning?
– E-Learning is the
use of ICTs in
Education.
– In this case:
Internet or Web (http://www.prowavemedia.com)
based learning
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4. 1. Introduction (cont.)
• Papua New Guinea Facts
– Developing country
– Oceanic Region
– 7,059,653 people
– Landmass 462,840 km2 (http://www.citypopulation.de/PapuaNewGuinea.html)
– Diverse geography
– Languages: 854 Indigenous • 13% live in urban areas.
& 2 National languages • Literacy rate: 57.3%
– Official language: English
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5. 1. Introduction (cont.)
• Papua New Guinea (PNG) government is leaning
towards the idea of e-Learning:
– PNG Vision 2050 : states the education sector must
‘promote and establish the use of ICTs for sustainable
education’.
– PNG’s National Education Plan (2005-2014): stresses on
the use of ICTs to provide additional resources for teaching
and learning in schools.
– PNG Universities Review Report 2010: highlights a
greater need for universities to adapt ICT in their course
delivery.
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6. 2. Aims of Study
• The University of PNG’s Open College plans
to implement e-Learning in 2013. The aims of
this study are therefore to:
1. ascertain students’ readiness levels for e-
Learning.
2.offer recommendations to planners and
policy makers.
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7. 2. Aims of Study (cont.)
• Location of UPNG Open College Study
Centers
Key:
Open Campus:
Uni Center:
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8. 3. Methodology
• Paper based questionnaire (administered
from May to July 2012).
• 12 Questions (10 ICT related): Multiple
Choice & 1 Open Ended.
• 148 responses received from two open
campuses (51 from NCD and 97 from Mt.
Hagen).
• Responses received and recorded.
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9. 3. Methodology (cont.)
Mt. Hagen Open NCD Open
Campus Campus
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10. 4. Findings
A. Students’ computing skills
Mt. Hagen Open Campus NCD Open Campus
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11. 4. Findings (cont.)
B. Knowledge of the Internet
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12. 4. Findings (cont.)
C. Internet Access & Fees:
• Mobile phones (i.e. 75% from Mt. Hagen and 60% from
NCDOC).
• Personal computers (i.e. 22% from Mt. Hagen and 34%
from NCDOC).
• Internet Café (i.e. 17% from Mt. Hagen and 11% from
NCDOC)
• All these respondents have indicated that they have to
pay for this internet service themselves.
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13. 4. Findings (cont.)
D. Preference for e-Learning
NCD 60%
Mount Hagen 40%
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14. 4. Findings (cont.)
E. Perceived Challenges and Advantages in implementation
of e-Learning
Challenges Advantages
• high internet fees, • saves costs (transport &
• lack of access to computers materials),
& the internet , • saves time,
• lack of knowledge on how • provides access to updated
to engage in an e-Learning learning content,
experience. • ensures timely delivery of
content.
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15. 5. Discussion
• Responses from the two open campuses differ
in some aspects due to their location.
– At NCD Open Campus: students have increased
access to technology (urban setting).
– At Mt. Hagen Open Campus: students have limited
access to technology (semi-urban setting).
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16. 6. Recommendations
• Based on the Findings, three recommendations
are therefore, proposed:
1. A short course on Basic Computing can be
designed and delivered.
2. Computers and Free Internet Access can be
provided at Open Campuses.
3. A short Orientation to Moodle course can be
designed and delivered.
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17. 7. Conclusion
• In conclusion, it is seen that:
1. Generally UPNG Open College students
are not yet fully prepared for e-Learning.
2. the implementation of the
recommendations made in this study is
crucial in ensuring students are better
prepared for e-Learning.
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18. Thank you for your kind attention!
Your Comments and Questions are
Welcome.
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