Adoption of Digital Literacy Strategy on Academic Progress of Private University Education in Kenya: A Survey of Umma University, Garissa Campus

Abstract

The global higher education landscape has dramatically changed over the last couple of months as a result of the spread of coronavirus. The motion of learners and teachers has been reduced drastically due to the outspread the pandemic. In Kenya, the close up of universities by the government to prevent the spread of this disease has been a big blow to education sector. Resultantly, the government encouraged university managements to embrace digital literacy strategy through virtual academic platforms. The success of this strategy has not been uniform to all universities in Kenya. Academic programs in most universities have stagnated following the close up. This study was purposely conducted to assess the adoption of COVID-19 digital literacy strategy on academic progress of private university education in Kenya.  The objective of this study was to find out the effects of e-learning mode of delivery on academic progress of private university education in Kenya. This research utilized a descriptive research design to collect data in order to test the research questions and hypothesis about the relationship between the study variables. The target population of the study comprised all 207 students in Umma University in Garissa Campus. A sample size of 137 respondents was then chosen using systematic sampling. Primary data was collected by use of structured self-administered questionnaires phrased on a 5 likert scale. Data collected was analyzed according to the objectives of the study. SPSS version 24 was used to conduct both descriptive and inferential statistics analysis. Analysis of Variance and Linear Regression analysis were conducted to establish the correlation between the study’s variables. The hypothesis of this study was tested at a confidence level of 0.05. The study established a positive significant relationship between e-learning and academic progress of university education. The findings of this study will guide management of universities to formulate strategies that would strengthen virtual learning in all centers of higher learning. The study recommends adoption of digital literacy programs by all universities in order to ensure continuity of learning with or without a pandemic in the country.