Abstract:
This research study was conducted to assess students’ perception, usefulness and the
effectiveness of E-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic at the university of Zambia. The
research methodology or design used in try to achieve the main object was explorative in nature.
It used questionnaires as its data collection tools on a sample size of 100 students at the
university. Statistical packaging for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyse the data collected
due to research’s quantitative nature. It has revealed that a number of students are familiar with
e-learning. This shows that e-learning is not a new thing in the learning system, even so, students
still prefer physical classes over it. This is because of a number of challenges surrounding e-
learning in Zambia which include among other, poor connectivity, expensive bundles and lack of
proper devices for accessing. One in the noticeable issue is that of learning institution not
allowing students who haven’t finish paying that their tuition fee due to economic challenges
having access to e-learning platforms. It was further noted from this study that, the e-learning
platform was not very effective in the delivery of lessons and this affected the academic
performance of learners. The majority of the Students face a number of challenges in accessing
the e-learning platform, some being poor internet connectivity and system failure. The research
shows the need for learning institutions to work on the challenges raise if e-learning should be a
success story in Zambia and the developing countries at large.
