Browsing by Author "Zhu, Chang"

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    Internet use among secondary schools and its effects on their learning
    (IATED Proceedings, 2017) Almasi, Mustapha ; Machumu, Haruni; Zhu, Chang
    Internet represents the greatest collection of human knowledge and has enabled many communities in the world to manage communication and solve problems faster. With the Internet access in education, a wide range of ideas, teaching and learning resources, techniques and innovations have been widely shared. This study explored internet use among Tanzania secondary schools students and its effects on their learning. We employed mixed methods research with the descriptive design. A total of 310 students were involved to fill in the questionnaires, semi-interviews and observation to examine students’ use of the internet. This study is important for educators and policy makers in understanding the link between internet use and its effects on students learning due the central role of the internet in the educational setting. Findings report that internet uses for educational purposes had improved among secondary schools. However, most of students used the internet as a social media for chatting and socializing, watching movies and listening to music. Waste of time, delay on schoolwork submission, poor academic results and school dodging were reported among effects associated with the internet uses among secondary students. The results of this study shed light on the most effective use of the internet in the teaching-learning process among students on the proper use of the internet. This implies educators and policy makers need to devise proper ways in which school students will utilize the internet for effective learning.
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    Investigating students' perceptions of cognitive presence in relation to learner performance in blended learning courses: A mixed-methods approach
    (Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 2020) Almasi, Mustapha; Zhu, Chang
    Cognitive presence sustains the learning community through intellectual discourse. Previous studies have explored cognitive presence using mainly quantitative measures in relation to students' perceived learning. This study adopts a mixed-method approach to investigate students' perception of cognitive presence, its relationship with academic performance, and its manifestation in blended learning courses in selected Tanzanian universities. The study adds empirical evidence about the emerging blended learning courses. A total of 351 students were involved in the study. The findings show that students reported a high cognitive presence (mean = 3.9, SD = 0.51). Furthermore, cognitive presence predicted student performance. Qualitative data show that students explored information through interaction in group discussions and presentations, with the main push being questions from instructors (teaching presence). Students integrated and applied their knowledge by discussing among themselves, teaching others, and practicing what they had learned. Nevertheless, lack of prompts for feedback, time constraints and lack of confidence were linked with low levels of cognitive presence. The study concludes that students experience high cognitive presence, which predicts their academic performance. The findings imply that cognitive presence tends to influence student performance, regardless of the varying levels of its manifestation.
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    Reflection on e-learning system of the Mzumbe University in Tanzania: Successes, challenges and way forward
    (International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology., 2020) Ghasia, Mohamed; Machumu, Haruni; Zhu, Chang; DePryck, Koen
    This paper explores the historical background of the Mzumbe University (MU)'s approach to e-learning since its inception in 2009. It reflects on the successes and challenges; lessons learnt from the MU experience and recommends a way forward. The paper is based on case study research, making the use of observation and secondary data generated from previous e-learning utilisation reports. It discusses trends in e-learning system adoption, deployment, implementation and utilisation at the MU. Findings indicate that awareness of the e-learning system, adoption rate and use have been increasing, leading to significant results such as receiving extensive coverage in the university agenda such that campaigns on its utilisation have been evident. Moreover, the results show the existence of some critical challenges including limited Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) infrastructure, inadequate ICTs didactical skills among students and teachers, lack of technical expertise in digital content design and production, as well as over-reliance on the traditional philosophy of teaching and learning. Based on the findings, it is recommended to encourage continuous user support, going beyond uploading and downloading the University's strategic policies. Despite the observed e-learning successes, the MU is still in need of an adequate, advanced and quality range of 21st century teaching and learning skills among teachers and students.
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    Reflection on e-learning system of the Mzumbe University in Tanzania: Successes, challenges and way forward
    (International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 2020) Ghasia, Mohamed; Machumu, Haruni; Zhu, Chang; DePryck, Koen
    This paper explores the historical background of Mzumbe University (MU)’s approach to e-learning since its inception in 2009. It reflects on the successes and challenges, lessons learnt from the MU experience and recommends a way forward. The paper is based on case study research, making the use of observation and secondary data generated from previous e-learning utilisation reports. It discusses trends in e-learning system adoption, deployment, implementation and utilisation at the MU. Findings indicate that awareness of the e-learning system, adoption rate and use have been increasing, leading to significant results such as receiving extensive coverage in the university agenda such that campaigns on its utilisation have been evident. Moreover, the results show the existence of some critical challenges including limited Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) infrastructure, inadequate ICTs didactical skills among students and teachers, lack of technical expertise in digital content design and production, as well as over-reliance on the traditional philosophy of teaching and learning. Based on the findings, it is recommended to encourage continuous user support, going beyond uploading and downloading the University’s strategic policies. Despite the observed e-learning successes, the MU is still in need of an adequate, advanced and quality range of 21st century teaching and learning skills