Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic catalysed a rapid shift towards the use of digital technologies in higher education. This prompted the need to explore how digital technologies are used in academic research, propelling a critical examination of their efficiency for postgraduate research purposes. This study employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate students’ perceptions regarding the efficiency of digital technologies before and during the COVID-19 era at two universities in South Africa. A simple random sampling method was utilised to recruit fifty (50) postgraduate student respondents who completed a survey questionnaire designed to capture their perceptions. The survey instrument included items that assessed the ease of access, usability, and overall satisfaction with digital technologies both before and during the pandemic. Quantitative analysis revealed notable shifts in perceptions between the two time periods. Participants generally reported an increase in reliance on digital technologies during the COVID-19 period, citing improved access to online databases and other research environments. However, challenges such as lack of user training, and technical issues were also highlighted. This study recommends that future research look into investigating specific strategies and initiatives that universities can employ to enhance their digital technologies.
Presenters
Lerato SokhuluLecturer, Curriculum and Education Studies, UKZN, South Africa Nduduzo Ndebele
Senior Lecturer, Public Governance, UKZN, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Digital Technologies, Research, Corona Virus Pandemic, Student Perceptions, South Africa
