An assessment on the extent to which university web portals are used in teaching and learning; case study: Universities in Kigezi sub-region

Abstract

The Rapid Development and Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) particularly Web Portals- a Web 2.0 technology attract the Lecturers, learners in Universities in terms of teaching and learning. For Universities in Kigezi Sub-Region, efforts have been made in terms of Web Portal adoption and implementation. However, these web portals have not been put to good use. This is attributed to the limited prior experience; poor perception on the ease of use and usefulness. The purpose of the study was to assess the Usage of University Web Portals in learning and teaching. This involved assessing the level of users’ prior experience of web portals, the effect of prior experience on the perceived ease of use of web portals, the effect of ease of use on the usefulness; the attitude of the lecturers and students towards their university web portals and the intention of the lecturers and students to use web portals. These factors were derived from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) that highlights five key factors that determine the use of a technology. These factors are Users’ prior experience; perceived ease of use; perceived usefulness; attitude and intention to use a technology. Quantitative research approach was used and the data was collected using questionnaires. The results of the study show that University lectures and Students had negative attitude towards their University Web Portals and as a result they had limited or no intention to visit or navigate their University Web Portals to perform teaching and learning activities. This is attributed to limited prior experience, poor perception on the ease of use and usefulness of University web portals. In order to enhance the effective usage of university web portals, a number of propositions as the output of this research were made. Trainings in form of sensitization workshops and seminars be routinely organised to facilitate and equip students and lecturers with the necessary expertise for the effective usage web portals in teaching and learning. Appropriate implementation processes through proper internal strategy formulation be followed in order to attain web portals that are easy to use. Regular and timely web portal updates be conducted under the guidance of skilled, motivated, experienced and well remunerated staff so as to promote the perceived usefulness of the web portals by their users. All these propositions can be addressed if there is a framework to guide the users and management on the effective usage of university web portals in teaching and learning. Because of the gaps identified in the literature, the researcher suggest further research about the effect of web portal use in university management and the effective adoption of web portals in teaching and learning.