Influence of Infrastructure on Implementation of E-Learning in Technical Vocational Education and Training Institutions in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

Worldwide e-learning has emerged as a leading channel of learning but its implementation in Kenya has not been successful. Studies have noted infrastructural challenges in implementation of e-learning, an aspect the present study sought to address. The study determined infrastructural factors that influence implementation of e-learning in TVET institutions in Uasin Gishu County. The study established the extent to which the following factors affect the effective implementation: the availability of good bandwidth; quick response time in uploading and retrieving content; fast processors; high performance features on the servers; accessibility of learning management system and the availability of electronic learning equipment. The study was guided by Roger’s theory of Diffusion of innovation and adopted an explanatory research design with a target population of 94 electrical and electronic engineering trainers and 6 HoDs of electrical and electronic engineering departments from public TVET institutions from Uasin Gishu County. Data was collected by use of questionnaire, observation and interview schedule. The piloting of the tools was done in Kitale National Polytechnic to test for reliability and validity. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of both inferential and descriptive statistics using SPSS version 25 while qualitative data using themes and sub-themes. The inferential statistics used included: simple and multiple regression, Pearson’s correlation and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) while descriptive statistics included mean, standard deviation and frequencies. From the findings, the coefficient of determination (R square) of .449 indicated that the model explained only 44.9% of the variation or change in implementation of e-learning. The study findings indicate that infrastructure (t =2.589, P<.05), significantly influence the implementation of e-learning in TVET institutions in Uasin Gishu County and it is therefore important for TVET institutions to consider strengthening the infrastructure requirements for e-learning.