Evaluation of Rural E-Learning Strategy on Organization Performance: Case of Intel’s Rusinga Technology Classroom, Kenya.

Abstract

E-learning is a creative innovation of learning and is emerging as a credible alternative to traditional educational delivery techniques because it saves on organizations’ training costs and travel time, enables organizations to become increasingly more market-oriented and competitive, it facilitates better training and attracts more students thereby generating diversified revenue streams. Intel’s Rusinga technology classroom is a solar powered mobile computer lab which provides an interactive e-learning program to learners in Rusinga Island, Kenya. The selection of this technology classroom was done based on the learners’ preference to it rather than the conventional modes after a preliminary survey. The entire study was carried out between February 2014 and May 2014. The main objective of the study was to evaluate rural e-learning strategy on the performance of Intel’s Rusinga technology classroom. The quantitative method approach was used in handling this research problem. The research techniques used to collect data were questionnaires to teachers. Data was collected from 10th April to 24th April 2014 in Rusinga Island. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17, which was used to generate cross-tabulation in order to demonstrate the combined distributions of variables in a contingency table in matrix format.  The findings of this study were analyzed quantitatively. Quantitative data analysis was used to extract descriptive and inferential statistic where as chi-square test and correlation coefficient were used to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study are as follows; Resourcing/financing indicated a positive impact on performance indices with P values less than 0.05 and positive correlation coefficients, indicating the positive impact on organization performance, Collaboration/outsourcing indicated a positive impact on performance indices with P values less than 0.05 and positive correlation coefficients, indicating the positive impact on organization performance and selecting technology indicated a positive impact on performance indices with P values less than 0.05 and positive correlation coefficients, indicating the positive impact on organization performance. This evaluation showed that resourcing/financing, collaboration/outsourcing and selecting technology have an effect on the performance of organizations. It is therefore important that these factors are considered appropriately in the investment of e-learning in organizations.