E-Learning was adopted by most universities and colleges worldwide to provide students with ongoing education during the COVID-19 pandemic and is here to last even after the pandemic is over. This study sought to explore the experiences of the students at a higher education institution in Eswatini during the COVID 19 pandemic. The study was based on the following objectives: Establish the experiences of higher education students in e-learning during the period of COVID- 19, determine the challenges faced by the students in e-learning during the period of COVID- 19 and recommend how e-learning may be sustained even after the pandemic. The study was underpinned by the diffusion of innovation theory and was located in the interpretivist research paradigm which followed a qualitative research approach where a phenomenological research design was applied. The study conveniently selected a sample of fifteen (15) fourth year students doing teacher education at a university in Eswatini. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study reveal that e-learning was the most appropriate teaching and learning process during the COVID- 19 pandemic and has benefits that make it sustainable after COVID-19. This study concludes that students are able to learn at the comfort of their homes due to the flexible nature of e-learning. However, despite the positive impact of e-learning there are some challenges students face which include limited physical contact and collaboration. The University should try by all means to provide the students with tools for effective teaching and learning. Based on the findings and conclusions, the study recommends that students should be provided with digital tools, trained adequately and get constant updates of software features. The study also recommends that for e-learning to be sustained even after the pandemic the university should provide modern technology tools and keep updating the software as well as widen the internet broadband for effective teaching and learning.
COVID-19, experiences, e-learning, higher education, post pandemic, technology
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development - IJTSRD having
online ISSN 2456-6470. IJTSRD is a leading Open Access, Peer-Reviewed International
Journal which provides rapid publication of your research articles and aims to promote
the theory and practice along with knowledge sharing between researchers, developers,
engineers, students, and practitioners working in and around the world in many areas
like Sciences, Technology, Innovation, Engineering, Agriculture, Management and
many more and it is recommended by all Universities, review articles and short communications
in all subjects. IJTSRD running an International Journal who are proving quality
publication of peer reviewed and refereed international journals from diverse fields
that emphasizes new research, development and their applications. IJTSRD provides
an online access to exchange your research work, technical notes & surveying results
among professionals throughout the world in e-journals. IJTSRD is a fastest growing
and dynamic professional organization. The aim of this organization is to provide
access not only to world class research resources, but through its professionals
aim to bring in a significant transformation in the real of open access journals
and online publishing.