Zozie, Paxton A.M. (2020) Integrating e-learning technologies into conventional teaching and learning in the school and higher education system with scarce resources: a case study of Mzuzu University. PhD thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/81397/ Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Integrating e-learning technologies into conventional teaching and learning in the school and higher education system with scarce resources: a case study of Mzuzu University Paxton Andrew Mwafwiyanji Zozie MA Ed (Curriculum and Instruction) Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Education, College of Social Sciences University of Glasgow May, 2020 i Abstract The main aim of this study was to investigate how secondary schools and tertiary education institutions in Malawi can sustainably integrate e-learning technologies into traditional teaching and learning environments. The study was conducted in Malawi at Mzuzu University (MZUNI) and four secondary schools within Mzuzu City. Data were collected in two phases. Phase-one was a baseline study of the status of technology at MZUNI and in four conveniently sampled secondary schools in Mzuzu City. The rationale for conducting the baseline study was to ascertain the status of e-learning before conducting the intervention study. This phase used self-administered questionnaires, focus group discussions (FDGs) and in-depth individual interviews as tools for gathering data. Phase Two was interventional in nature because the researcher tried to implement some solutions which were observed during baseline study. This study used a longitudinal qualitative research approach. A mixed methods approach was used because the nature of the research questions required the use of different data gathering strategies. Study findings revealed that educational institutions that have limited resources can integrate technology in education by using resources they have. This study discovered that the following five media were sustainable and the most used technologies: The Internet, Facebook, memory sticks, personal computers and ordinary cell phones. Furthermore, challenges that institutions are likely to face when implementing technology integration included: intermittent electrical power supply; lack of resources for e-learning; resistance to use recorded e-resources; challenges with e-module production and using WhatsApp for educational purposes. The study recommends the following strategies to ensure that electronic technologies are integrated into the teaching and learning environment: MZUNI and other institutions which have limited resources for teaching and learning purposes should integrate technology in education using the most ubiquitous teaching and learning resources around them by making use of the Teaching and Learning Using Locally Available Resources (TALULAR) concept instead of solely relying on proprietary resources. ii Table of contents ABSTRACT ........................................................................................ I TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................. II LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................. IV LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................. VI ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................... VIII AUTHOR’S DECLARATION ......................................................................... IX ACRONYMS ....................................................................................... X CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction and need for the study .............................................. 1 1.2 Education system in Malawi ........................................................ 2 1.3 The Problem .......................................................................... 10 1.4 Aim of the study ..................................................................... 12 1.5 Research Questions .................................................................. 13 1.6 Outline of the thesis ................................................................ 13 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................................ 15 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................... 15 2.2 Technology integration ............................................................. 15 2.3 Technology integration in Malawi ................................................ 19 2.4 Locally available technologies for learning ..................................... 20 2.5 Learning theories .................................................................... 28 2.6 Theories and Models of Technology Acceptance ................................ 32 2.7 Theoretical Framework ............................................................. 54 CHAPTER 3: STUDY METHODOLOGY AND METHODS ............................................... 66 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................... 66 3.2 Methodology .......................................................................... 66 3.3 Research Paradigm .................................................................. 67 3.4 Research Design ...................................................................... 70 3.5 Action Research ...................................................................... 72 3.6 Researcher Standpoint and Motivation ........................................... 73 3.7 Methods ............................................................................... 75 3.8 Site selection ......................................................................... 82 3.9 Sample and sampling procedures ................................................. 82 3.10 Data collection procedures ....................................................... 83 3.11 Data analysis ........................................................................ 95 CHAPTER 4: STUDY FINDING OF PHASE ONE ..................................................... 96 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................... 96 4.2 Characteristics of the respondents ............................................... 97 4.3 Availability of resources .......................................................... 100 4.4 Sustainable electronic media ..................................................... 107 4.5 Opportunities and challenges ..................................................... 112 4.6 Opportunities and challenges to integrate technology in education ....... 155 CHAPTER 5: STUDY FINDINGS OF PHASE TWO ................................................... 157 5.1 Introduction ......................................................................... 157 5.2 Introductory C Programming lesson ............................................. 158 5.3 Study Findings for Physical Science Classes .................................... 169 5.4 Study Findings for ODL e-Module production .................................. 182 5.5 Sustainable Electronic Media for Students ..................................... 188 iii 5.6 Study Findings on Moodle LMS and Turnitin .................................... 194 5.7 Challenges of education institutions with limited resources ............... 199 5.8 Effects of repurposed instructional materials and digital technologies .. 201 5.9 Chapter summary ................................................................... 204 CHAPTER 6: GENERAL DISCUSSION ............................................................. 205 6.1 Research Question One ............................................................ 206 6.2 Research Question Two ............................................................ 217 6.3 Research Question Three .......................................................... 219 6.4 Research Question Four ........................................................... 227 6.5 Revised Conceptual Framework .................................................. 228 CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................ 236 7.1 Conclusions .......................................................................... 236 7.2 Recommendations .................................................................. 240 7.3 Study limitations ................................................................... 241 7.4 Issues for further research ........................................................ 241 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................. 242 APPENDICES ................................................................................... 268 Appendix A – Ethics documents ....................................................... 268 Appendix B