Online discussion platforms for effective collaborative learning in higher learning institutions in Tanzania

Abstract

The implementation of the 2030 vision to provide a 12-years free primary and secondary education and higher education loan scheme offered by the government will increase students’ enrolment in higher learning institutions. Nonetheless, higher education system profoundly depends on fixed lecture theatres–these and insufficient public discussion squares are among the challenges faced by Tanzanian higher education. In response, higher learning institutions have introduced cement seats in universities’ environment; however, they serve as learning squares in arid seasons and before odd hours. Additionally, they have introduced information and communication technology solutions like learning management systems; nonetheless, these have ended being used as traditional repositories and appear not to tailor in the direction of the technology used by students. This study mainly aimed to develop online discussion platform for enhancing effective collaborative learning for students in higher learning institutions. It used a mixed-method research design to collect data from 96 respondents from five higher learning institutions in Arusha region. Analysis using Chi-square statistical test indicated that residence was not among the factors contributed to the recommendation of the online discussion platform. Furthermore, the platform was designed and implemented using scram agile software development methodology and Laravel Pre-processor framework. It was tested and met specified requirements. Finally, education stakeholders, the Tanzania Commission for Universities and higher learning institutions should work on these findings and should adapt and use the online discussion platform to sustain the challenges of small number of staff and insufficient public discussion areas in higher learning institutions in Tanzania.