HOW E -LEARNING IS TAKING SHAPE DURING THIS PANDEMIC

           
Corona virus outbreak began in Wuhan China, December 2019 and Kenya recorded its first case in March 13th.Since then the number of the covid 19 patients has been increasing each day according to the ministry of health . Corona virus has became a global pandemic which has affected all sectors in every country .The national government put in place some restrictions in the country to curb the spread of the virus including the closure of all schools.

Online teaching and learning being a relatively new phenomenon,it is a good idea  for the Government through the ministry of education to come up with a mechanism through which students in primary schools,secondary schools and universities will continue with their studies since they were forced to close abruptly.Minister of education prof. George Magoha said they would adopt online education.

Online education would be channeled through Radio, online sites and television. Some of parents are happy with the mode of learning while others are facing challenges.Radio is the only device which almost every household in the country own and can afford. Broadcasting radio lessons would be the quickest method to reach most of the students. The lessons could either be prerecorded .Students can now listen to radio programs that are broadcasted by KBC.

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development also has put some measures in which through its radio programmes learners in primary schools and secondary schools can tune and get to learn some subjects.KICD admits that they might not reach everyone  but we need to work inorder to improve the situation.

KICD timetable
 photo courtesy :KICD

 
Some of the challenges faced in transitioning from face to face classroom teaching her to e learning include:
- Inadequate preparedness on the part of academic staff to carry out effective teaching and learning
- Most rural based  students are unable to access internet due to the distance to the towns
- It is also too expensive in which students are required to buy data bundles inorder to access online materials
- Not all households can afford some learning tools like radio and television
- The broadcasted lessons in radio and television might not be interactive since students are unable to ask questions.