Evaluating the effectiveness of university communication in the Covid-19 induced online learning context at the Univeristy of Namibia

Abstract

Covid-19 has impacted our world on so many levels, how we live and interact with each other, how we work and communicate, how we move and travel. When the pandemic hit many businesses were forced to close and schools were forced to move to online learning. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of University communication in the COVID-19 induced online learning context at the University of Namibia. The study was guided by the following questions: Does online learning have the same effect on communication as face-to-face between lecturers and students? Are students and lecturers affected positively or negatively by online learning? Does online learning have an impact on the student’s productivity level? What are the challenges that both students and lecturers encountered during online learning? What are the students and lecturers’ perspectives on blended learning? A questionnaire research method was used to evaluate the effectives of online learning. The study employed a quantitative research method and the findings were presented in forms of graphs and pie charts. The study was conducted at the University of Namibia and it is hoped that the findings from this study will help Universities determine whether online learning is effective or not and whether they should implement blended learning.