Learner Demographic, Resource Characteristics, and Responsiveness to eLearning Delivery in Selected Distance Education Institutions in Ghana

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of learner demographic and resource characteristics on responsiveness to eLearning delivery in distance education programmes in Ghana. The study addressed three specific objectives: to profile the distance learners based on demographic and resource characteristics; to establish the relationship between demographics and eLearning satisfaction; to determine the extent to which resource characteristics influence eLearning satisfaction. The study utilized an analytical survey design with quantitative data collection method using a questionnaire. Two dual-mode universities in Ghana were targeted and 517 students were sampled through multi-level sampling method. The study found that distance education students in Ghana are moderately responding to eLearning delivery. It was also concluded that age, gender, marital status and geographic distance had a significant relationship with eLearning satisfaction. Moreover, access to ICTs, access to family time support and access to electricity were significantly related to eLearning satisfaction. It was recommended that distance education institutions should assess the characteristics of the learner prior to the introduction of eLearning.