Assessing Learners’ Perception on Ghana Learning Television (GLTV) as an Effective Tool for Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Basic Level Education Students

Abstract

This research explored the perception of learners in the basic school level, specifically Junior High School 1-3 about the Ghana Learning television (GLTV) as an effective tool for learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The GLTV is a dedicated educational television initiated by the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to ensure that learners did not miss out on instructional time when schools were shut nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Responses from 20 respondents were solicited to gather qualitative responses. An interview guide was developed by reviewing related literature and carefully examining what the study seeks to achieve. Data gathered were thematized to gain insights on the perception of students regarding the GLTV. Findings from the study indicated that the Ghana Learning television is an effective tool for learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some respondents still subscribe to the channel, although face-to-face classes have resumed. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the channel served as a source of instructional teaching and learning to supplement face-to-face classroom teaching. Considering the high usage of the channel, GLTV was seen as interactive, exciting and inclusive. Findings confirmed the assumption that learners had varied needs, and the design and pedagogies employed the GLTV catered for the needs of these learners including those with disabilities (hearing and visually impaired students). Although respondents watched other educational television such as the Class Act and Joy Learning, majority of the respondents preferred the GLTV. The results also broadly revealed that parents, guardians, and teachers played critical roles in encouraging and supporting learners to watch the channel when schools were shut due to the pandemic. Keywords: Distance Learning; Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning; Educational Television; E-Learning; Ghana Learning Television; Thematic Analysis Method.