Problems associated with the transition from conventional learning (face to face) to online learning (e-learning) in the educational system are well documented. The present study explores the challenges students in tertiary institutions have reported facing in online learning in the era of coronavirus pandemic. Using a sample (n = 141), an initial principal component factor analysis was conducted to group the constructs. Eight groups that emerged were social issues, lecturer issues, accessibility issues, learner motivation, academic issues, generic issues, learner intentions, and demographics. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the reliability of the scales resulting in the deletion of learner motivation. Comparing the means of the factors revealed that the most important challenge for students to study online was accessibility issues. This was followed by social issues, lecturer issues, academic issues, and generic issues. The mean for the individual items in learners' intention to study online showed that students were not ready to study online. A Multiple Regression Analysis was further conducted to determine which factors pose the most important challenges to the student's decision to study online. Social issues and lecturer issues were significant. In the final model, only lecturer issues were significant. A blended approach-where conventional teaching is combined with online teaching should have ushered the learners to complete online learning.
Online learning (e-learning) is well established as one of the best pedagogical approaches in recent years. Despite numerous pieces of literature addressing the significance and limitations of this type of approach, little has been done on the challenges involved in the transition from the face-to-face method of teaching without a blended approach to a complete online in an emergency situation. The present study examined the challenges faced by tutors at colleges of education in Ghana to transition from face-to-face (conventional) to a complete online in the COVID-19 era. A mixed methods design was employed to gather data using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed separately, and the results showed how network, pedagogies, Learning Management Systems and students' factors hinder tutors to successfully deliver online. The study further reported the blended approach as an effective method to assist the tutors for a more effective and less painful transition. Based on the findings, it is relevant for all educational institutions that use a conventional method to adopt a blended approach to help transition to a complete online in case of emergencies. However, it was revealed that online teaching and learning development is expensive, therefore, it requires assistance from stakeholders for a successful implementation.
The present study examines the perception of senior high school (SHS) students on the coronavirus and the use of masks to prevent the disease. Semi-structured interviews were employed as a form of data collection with purposively sampled twenty-four (24) senior high school students comprising twelve (12) males and twelve (12) females aged sixteen to nineteen (16-19) years. Thematic analysis was used in analysing the qualitative data gathered. Six (6) themes emerged that centered around SHS students' perception of the coronavirus, wearing of masks, health effects and other general ideas on the pandemic. The main themes were the mode of spread, symptoms, prevention, reasons for wearing masks, the health effects of wearing masks and other issues. The findings were discussed in line with recent literature and recommendations have been made to the stakeholders for policy direction. In sum, the students usually follow the safety protocols instituted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the government to stay alive and protected as they are aware of the adverse effects of contracting the disease which include death and liver damage when one even recovers.
The role of coaches in promoting anti-doping education among athletes is well researched in the western world. The present study examined the role of Physical Education (P.E.) teachers in anti-doping education in Ghana under doping practices, knowledge of anti-doping control and the importance of doping education in training programmes among student-athletes. Semi-structured interviews involving eleven P.E. teachers aged 31-46 who coached all the sporting disciplines in Senior High Schools-football, handball, netball, hockey, volleyball, table tennis, badminton and athletics were conducted. Based on the preliminary results, additional information was requested from 10 student-athletes on the use of doping products and the harmful effects. The interviews were transcribed, and the data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that although coaches and athletes are aware of the effects of doping, the effort to promote anti-doping education have been met with resistance as students claimed P.E. teachers are not health professionals. To be recognised as the best, P.E. teachers were also found culpable of aiding students to use banned performance-enhancing drugs during competitions. A worrying picture of the present study is the sale of drugs to people especially the youths without prescriptions. This has not led only to loss of lives, but to an increase in doping cases, as students can easily have access to drugs that can be used in doping. The present study proposes recommendations and suggestions to the political stakeholder, based on its findings.
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