The Effectiveness of Online Learning: A Case of GIJ Students

Abstract

The Face-to-Face mode of learning was prevalent in times before the ascent of COVID-19. Research revealed that at least 3 in 10 students have been enrolled in one or more online learning programs before COVID-19. The recent pandemic has seen this change from 3 in 10 to all students wherever, partaking in online learning. One that most of them beforehand had little to no knowledge about. This thesis was written to assess this issue of abrupt change in the system learning, from the traditional and familiar face to face mode of delivery to a somewhat strange and unfamiliar online mode of learning that also presents new problems and challenges to students at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. The objectives sought to measure the efficiency, accessibility, affordability, and performance of online learning in GIJ. Data were collected from 50 students at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. From the analysis done, findings suggest that online learning is more expensive compared to traditional learning, while the accessibility of online learning greatly depends on location, internet connectivity and devices available. Additionally, while students were of the view that attendance to online lectures had improved, responses indicate that lecturers need to be trained on how to use the online platforms to deliver lectures effectively to facilitate the overall learning experience.