Perceptions of History Students and Lecturers on Remote Learning during Covid-19 Pandemic at Universities in Western Uganda: Lessons for Stakeholders

The global spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in the recent past significantly strained the education sector in developing countries. In response, Uganda, like many other developing nations, closed all educational institutions and promoted the continuation of education through Open, Distance, and Electronic Learning (ODeL), which primarily involved “online learning” and “home-based learning.” This study examined the opportunities and challenges in teaching and learning History education at two government universities (Kabale and Mountains of the Moon Universities) that adopted ODeL for online History education. Using case-study design, data was collected using from 34 respondents using in-depth interviews with 4 lecturers and a focus group discussions with 30 History education students 4 History education lecturers. Key issues were identified and responses and presented qualitatively. The study found that History education continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, with lecturers using various media, including emails, Zoom, Google Meet, Google Classroom, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Learning was conducted both synchronously and asynchronously, though it was sometimes interrupted by household chores and internet connectivity issues. Additionally, some students and lecturers lacked the necessary computer skills and competences. Overall, e-learning improved digital proficiency, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among history students. The study recommends customizing history content for e-learning, providing ongoing training for lecturers and students, implementing blended learning, enhancing internet infrastructure at Ugandan universities, and creating well-planned, student-centered learning environments.