A blended learning framework based on collaborative web technologies in Tanzanian Higher Education institutions

Abstract

The research aimed to design a Blended Learning Framework (BLF) which is supported with Collaborative Web Technologies (CWTs) for Tanzanian Higher Education Institutions(HEIs). The designed and validated BLF serves as guidelines to the Blended Learning practices in higher education in Tanzania. Typically, Blended Learning is a combination of face-to-face and online instructional models. From the extant literature reviewed, there is no evidence of a BLF that is suitable for the Tanzanian HEIs. To achieve the main aim, five research objectives were developed: (a) review the literature to identify appropriate CWTs which can support BL environment for enhanced learning and teaching in Tanzanian HEIs; (b) assess the usage patterns of the CWTs in Tanzanian HEIs; (c) assess the available ICT infrastructure that can support BL with CWTs in Tanzanian HEIs; (d) design a BLF that supports CWTs for HEIs in Tanzania and (e) apply (evaluate) the BLF to three modules in one of the HEIs in Tanzania.

The selected Six HEIs in Tanzania informed the design, validation and testing of the framework. The New Blended Learning Framework was tested using three modules from one of the six institutions. We present results which show that our new Blended Learning Framework promoted increased interactions between students and lecturers. The results also show that the framework enhanced and promoted the active participation of the students in their learning process. Three modules each had a higher average module mark than the previous year when the BLF was not used. One of the modules had a 9% module average increase over that of the previous year. The research has three main contributions: firstly, a New BLF supported with CWTs was designed for Tanzanian HEIs; secondly, the New Blended Learning Framework has shown to enhance interactions between students and lecturers and thirdly, the New Blended Learning Framework has shown to promote active participation of students in their leaning process. Other contributions include the establishment of the current available ICT Infrastructure in Tanzania for supporting BLF based on CWTs and the current usage patterns of the CWTs in Tanzanian HEIs.

Date of Award	Apr 2018
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Coventry University
Supervisor	Michael Odetayo (Supervisor), Rahat Iqbal (Supervisor) & Eliamni Sedoyeka (Supervisor)