A qualitative systematic review exploring online learning experiences among university students during Covid-19: An African Context
- Thoka, Tebogo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6763-6367
- Authors: Thoka, Tebogo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6763-6367
- Date: 2023-11
- Subjects: Internet in higher education , Education, Higher -- Computer-assisted instruction , Communicable diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28606 , vital:74472
- Description: The sudden and immediate transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic brought forth unprecedented challenges, particularly within the education sector. In Africa, this shift was necessitated by the need to safeguard lives and preserve the academic year. However, the absence of adequate contextual consideration introduced additional complexities, influencing how students in the African context navigated their learning experiences during this unique time.This study aimed to comprehensively synthesize the online learning experiences of university students in Africa amid the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate the influence of these experiences on academic performance. Drawing from the systematic review protocol proposed by Hemingway and Brereton, seven (7) qualitative research articles were rigorously selected based on predefined inclusion criteria and meticulously examined.Thematic analysis of the chosen articles revealed two overarching themes. The first, "Emotional Distress," encapsulated students' experiences of anxiety, depressive emotions, and anger. Contributing factors included limited interaction opportunities, a sense of isolation, insufficient online learning resources, inflexible course structures, and non-conducive learning environments. The second overarching theme, "Growth," encompassed improvements in grades and enhanced self-directed learning abilities.These findings hold significant implications for the enhancement of online learning experiences in Africa. To address the challenges associated with emotional distress and foster growth, we propose the following recommendations: increased focus on social interaction and support mechanisms, equitable access to online resources, flexible course structures, and fostering conducive learning environments. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-11
- Authors: Thoka, Tebogo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6763-6367
- Date: 2023-11
- Subjects: Internet in higher education , Education, Higher -- Computer-assisted instruction , Communicable diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28606 , vital:74472
- Description: The sudden and immediate transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic brought forth unprecedented challenges, particularly within the education sector. In Africa, this shift was necessitated by the need to safeguard lives and preserve the academic year. However, the absence of adequate contextual consideration introduced additional complexities, influencing how students in the African context navigated their learning experiences during this unique time.This study aimed to comprehensively synthesize the online learning experiences of university students in Africa amid the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate the influence of these experiences on academic performance. Drawing from the systematic review protocol proposed by Hemingway and Brereton, seven (7) qualitative research articles were rigorously selected based on predefined inclusion criteria and meticulously examined.Thematic analysis of the chosen articles revealed two overarching themes. The first, "Emotional Distress," encapsulated students' experiences of anxiety, depressive emotions, and anger. Contributing factors included limited interaction opportunities, a sense of isolation, insufficient online learning resources, inflexible course structures, and non-conducive learning environments. The second overarching theme, "Growth," encompassed improvements in grades and enhanced self-directed learning abilities.These findings hold significant implications for the enhancement of online learning experiences in Africa. To address the challenges associated with emotional distress and foster growth, we propose the following recommendations: increased focus on social interaction and support mechanisms, equitable access to online resources, flexible course structures, and fostering conducive learning environments. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-11
Assessing the impact of access to climate services on smallholder farmers’ cropping decisions and household food security in Elundini Municipality, Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Yanga-Inkosi, Nocezo
- Date: 2023-11
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Food security -- Climatic factors , Crops and climate
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28222 , vital:73913
- Description: Climate variability has significant implications for crop production and overall food security. Climate services, which provide tailored and localised climate information, have the potential to enhance farmers' understanding of climate patterns and support informed decision-making. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of climate services on smallholder farmers’ cropping decisions and household food security. The study adopted a cross-sectional household survey on 217 smallholder crop farming households from Elundini Municipality. Structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were used to collect the required data from the farmers. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the types of climate service accessed by smallholder crop farmers in the study area. The probit model was used to examine factors influencing smallholder crop farmers’ access to specific climate services. The household dietary diversity score was used to measure household food security among smallholder crop farmers. The propensity score matching model was used to assess the impact of accessing specific climate services on cropping decisions and household food security. The results indicated that most farmers 77 percent in the study area had access to climate services. The results further showed that many farmers had access to short-term weather forecast 79 percent with very few accessing seasonal forecast 22 percent. The results also revealed that access to both short-term weather and seasonal forecasts is positively influenced by ownership of mobile phones and access to extension services. Similarly, access to short-term weather forecasts is positively influenced by age, monthly income, ownership of radio, timely climate information, and perceiving that climate change has negative effects on crop production. Land size, knowledge of climate change, and climate services accuracy are positive and significant factors influencing access to seasonal forecasts. Most of the smallholder farming households in the study area had higher dietary diversity scores 66 percent. Moreover, access to short-term weather and seasonal forecasts has a positive and significant impact on cropping decisions and household dietary diversity scores. The study concludes that climate services improve cropping decisions and household food security among smallholder crop farmers in Elundini Municipality. The study recommends that there should be investments in awareness programmes that will educate farmers about the importance of climate services and how to acquire and interpret both weather and seasonal forecasts. Stakeholders interested in improving smallholder farmers’ access to climate services should consider whether farmers own smart phones and have access to extension services, arable land, knowledge of climate change, and if the climate services are accurate for smallholder farmers. In addition, to improve crop production and household food security in the face of climate change, access to climate services by smallholder farmers should be considered. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-11
- Authors: Yanga-Inkosi, Nocezo
- Date: 2023-11
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Food security -- Climatic factors , Crops and climate
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28222 , vital:73913
- Description: Climate variability has significant implications for crop production and overall food security. Climate services, which provide tailored and localised climate information, have the potential to enhance farmers' understanding of climate patterns and support informed decision-making. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of climate services on smallholder farmers’ cropping decisions and household food security. The study adopted a cross-sectional household survey on 217 smallholder crop farming households from Elundini Municipality. Structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were used to collect the required data from the farmers. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the types of climate service accessed by smallholder crop farmers in the study area. The probit model was used to examine factors influencing smallholder crop farmers’ access to specific climate services. The household dietary diversity score was used to measure household food security among smallholder crop farmers. The propensity score matching model was used to assess the impact of accessing specific climate services on cropping decisions and household food security. The results indicated that most farmers 77 percent in the study area had access to climate services. The results further showed that many farmers had access to short-term weather forecast 79 percent with very few accessing seasonal forecast 22 percent. The results also revealed that access to both short-term weather and seasonal forecasts is positively influenced by ownership of mobile phones and access to extension services. Similarly, access to short-term weather forecasts is positively influenced by age, monthly income, ownership of radio, timely climate information, and perceiving that climate change has negative effects on crop production. Land size, knowledge of climate change, and climate services accuracy are positive and significant factors influencing access to seasonal forecasts. Most of the smallholder farming households in the study area had higher dietary diversity scores 66 percent. Moreover, access to short-term weather and seasonal forecasts has a positive and significant impact on cropping decisions and household dietary diversity scores. The study concludes that climate services improve cropping decisions and household food security among smallholder crop farmers in Elundini Municipality. The study recommends that there should be investments in awareness programmes that will educate farmers about the importance of climate services and how to acquire and interpret both weather and seasonal forecasts. Stakeholders interested in improving smallholder farmers’ access to climate services should consider whether farmers own smart phones and have access to extension services, arable land, knowledge of climate change, and if the climate services are accurate for smallholder farmers. In addition, to improve crop production and household food security in the face of climate change, access to climate services by smallholder farmers should be considered. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-11
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