University Students’ Experiences and Participation in Using Online Teaching and Learning at a Zimbabwean State University

Starlin Musingarabwi
Midlands State University, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Email: musingarabwis@staff.msu.ac.zw

Abstract: The fact that even well before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic online teaching and learning approaches to modern students` education and training programs were already being used in some countries cannot be denied. This mixed methods research study sought to explore university students’ experiences and participation in online teaching and learning after the Covid-19 pandemic. Thirty (n=30) conveniently sampled first year students who were using online teaching and learning completed a structured questionnaire to indicate the approximate amount of time they spent on the internet each week, while10 of them participated in semi-structured interviews.Students expressed an admixture of experiences with using online teaching and learning pedagogies ranging from independent learning, cost-cutting advantages, improved use of ICT for teaching and learning to estrangement from using the unfamiliar technology, lack of resources, poor internet connectivity and difficulties in learning concepts in some subjects. Findings of this study also revealed a situation in which students indicated negligible participation in the use of internet facilities; the bedrock of online pedagogies. Recommendations were made for universities to: 1. rethink strategies and policies for enhancing more sustainable adoption and institutionalisation of the online teaching and learning pedagogies. 2. Establish strategies for subsidizing students’ connectivity costs 3. Establish strategies for improvement of online infrastructural facilities and 4. Facilitate the availability of online hardware devices to students, such as smartphones.