Learning Online during Crisis-Experiences of Students of a Women’s Community College in Ghana

Abstract

This qualitative study explored how female college students in a community in Ghana undertook their online learning activities during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve the objectives of the study, criterion sampling, and an open-ended online questionnaire were used to collect data from 24 female students from the Presbyterian Women’s’ College of Education (PWC) in the Aburi community of Ghana. From conventional content analysis, it was found that female community college students appreciate online learning. They can position themselves to adapt, change their mindset, and build their confidence to study online effectively. They have also shown the ability to leverage basic interactive tools such as WhatsApp, chatrooms, and conference telephone calls to undertake virtual group study activities. They, however, have concerns with poor internet connectivity, limited financial resources for accessing internet services, limited time to grasp their content, and a lack of electronic devices. If they are supported with free internet services, electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops and equipped with online study skills, they will be able to consolidate and utilize the gains of online learning that has emerged from the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic