Structural Equation Modelling of Ubiquitous Learning at Zimbabwean Schools

The study tested the application of structural equation modelling (SEM) to ubiquitous learning of selected Zimbabwean schools. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of diffusion factors toward ubiquitous learning in Zimbabwe. The main hypothesis being tested was: “ ICT facilities have a positive effect on the diffusion and adoption of ubiquitous learning in Zimbabwean schools”. Three models fundamental to SEM are confirmatory analysis, causal modes and measurement models. A good model is parsimonious, theoretically justifiable and reproduces the underlying correlation matrix based on the constraints imposed. The methodology used is quantitative where the research design is a survey method. The SEM is a comprehensive methodological approach that allows the analysis of the relationships between observed variables and unobserved/ latent factors. A questionnaire and a scale were administered to heads of computer studies to 15 selected Zimbabwean schools in May 2012. The successful Presidential E-learning programme is the national beacon, vision and national policy direction that should be pursued by all schools, colleges and universities in Zimbabwe. All the schools surveyed were aware of the Presidential e-learning programme. However, the adoption and diffusion of the national e-learning programme exhibited disintegrated efforts in implementation of computerization projects, marginally high digital divide, cyber-bullying among school pupils, inadequate cyber-security technical measures, a huge appetite for computer training, computer literacy rate for teachers ranging from 5% to 80% in some of the schools, little evidence of integration of e-learning into the school curricula, and shocking levels of inadequate networked computing facilities.