Undergraduate students perception of online learning in universities in Kwara state, Nigeria

Abstract

Online learning provides students with the opportunities to interact synchronously and/or asynchronously through the Internet with instructional content, other students, and tutors. The COVID-19 pandemic had given a fillip to online learning in Nigerian universities. Based on this background, this study examined undergraduate students' perception of online learning in universities in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study also explored the influence of institutions and gender on students' perception of online learning. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire. A total of 785 undergraduates who responded to the online questionnaire served as the sample for this study. The researchers raised four research questions, with the questions answered with percentages. The analysis revealed that online platforms used for online interactive classes were WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Telegram, and Moodle. Most university undergraduates had a positive perception of online learning for instruction. The undergraduate students had positive perception of their online learning self-efficacy. This study recommended using the blended learning option for post-COVID-19 epidemic instructional delivery in Nigerian universities. Government and institutional administrators should organise hands-on workshops focused on online pedagogies for lecturers in higher institutions in Nigeria. Furthermore, the study underscored the need for institutional support for improved ICT facilities and infrastructures to provide the enabling environment for blended learning.