Implications of internet based technology on policy framework and learning culture: the case of Kenyatta University’s City Campus
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Date
2013
Authors
Sana, Roumani
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Internet Based Technology (IBT) has been implemented in a number of organisations
both in public and private sector. The Education sector has not been left behind in the
implementation and use of technology in learning particulary in the Institutions of higher
learning. This has transformed the learning environment and influenced the learning
culture of students both positively and negatively. IBT use in academics has its
shortcoming and there seems to be no clear guideline on how to regulate the usage and
protect users against the vices and challenges that arise. It is against this background that
this study sought to assess the implications of the IBT on the policy framework and
learning culture of University students in Kenya. The study sought to establish the effect
of IBT on the teaching methods, establish the effect of academic best practices on the
learning culture and investigate the effect of IBT on policy formulation of Kenyatta
University City Campus. The researcher used case study research design purposively
selected 120 respondents. This comprised of 100 students selected from four
departments, 10 administrators and 10 lecturers. Primary data was collected using selfadministered
questionnaires. The collected quantitative data has been analysed using
descriptive statistics. In addition, content analysis was used for qualitative data. To aid
data analysis the researcher used the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The
study found out that respondents preferred online materials and that internet had helped
in reducing the duration for doing assignments, and internet has improved inter-campus
sharing. Internet availability had also improved the quality of assignments and has
improved the overall conceptualisation of ideas and subjects by students. The respondents
also used internet for academic research, social interactions, and games as well as for
business purposes. The students also agreed that they spent more and unnecessary time
on social websites, internet games than on academic research, students accessed and
download the wrong materials from the university web access points, and students
directly downloaded class assignments and presented them without their own input, since
they found it is easier to download class assignments. Generally, the results indicate that
internet use have had a negative effect on the learning and as well teaching within the
City Campus. Internet also had influenced learning abilities of students by reducing class
attendance by avoided lessons since they could easily access notes online, lack of indepth
research from different source (prefer internet) among other negative aspects. The
respondents preferred online/distance and e-learning methods to traditional classroom
lectures, indicating the need to respond to the new challenges and needs of the students
by adopting internet based teaching methodologies. On whether the policy framework
had been modified since the advent of internet based teaching and learning within the
university education, the 50% the respondents agreed that it had been modified while the
other 50% did not agree. The study also found out that plagiarism could not be stamped
out with the advent of the internet based learning. The learning culture had also changed
with the internet with students no longer appreciating classroom-setting lectures, nor hard
copies of notes rather they would appreciate more the online notes and other online
functionaries like submission of assignments through internet.
Description
A research project submitted to the school of humanities and social sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of master of public policy and administration, 2013