Moshi, Goodiel C2024-03-192024-03-192021Moshi, G. (2021). E-learning platform choice for higher learning institutions during the lockdown in Tanzania: The role of NREN.URL: https://africarxiv.ubuntunet.net/server/api/core/bitstreams/8f880145-46de-4e94-88a8-7255e9589b6f/contenthttps://repository.udom.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12661/4337Abstract. Full text article available at https://africarxiv.ubuntunet.net/server/api/core/bitstreams/8f880145-46de-4e94-88a8-7255e9589b6f/contentUnlike any time in the recent history, the world has experienced a record disruption of human social economic activities during the COVID19 pandemic. Massive lockdowns administered worldwide caused school closure, affecting 99 percent of all students’ population in low and low-middle income countries (UN, 2020). Government of Tanzania called for a closure covering all schools, colleges and universities lasting for four months. Despite disruption in continuance of learning, schooling calendar was only adjusted, leaving year-to-year students mobility remain intact. In such circumstances, continuance of learning is paramount to education delivery. Among the key issues during the pandemic is choice of the e-learning platform to be used. In the current technology space, there is a plethora of e-learning platforms to be used. Choice of technology/platform by institutions is influenced by many factors. Among factors that influence technology choice is the presence of affordances such as those provided by National Research and Education Networks (NREN), as NREN are designed to ensure that research and education institutions share resources. Tanzania Education and Research Network (TERNET) consists of about 30 members, with 23 institutions subscribing to the network HERIN subsidized bandwidth plan. These institutions vary in terms of human and financial resources, and consequently institutional responsiveness for continuance delivery of education during pandemic such as COVID-19 or similar pandemic in the future. This study attempts to explore e-learning technology choice by universities during the lockdown. Specifically, four research questions are considered: first, what online learning/teaching platforms were used during the lockdown; second, what factors determined institutional choice of online learning/teaching platform; third, what challenges did they face, fourth, how did institutions take advantage of TERNET infrastructure and services used to increase resilience of research and education network members in Tanzania during the lockdown and pandemic. Findings of this study will document reveal institutions’ preferences and their rationale for choice of e-learning platform, but also inform TERNET on how to improve its services to cushion research and education institutions during a pandemic.enCOVID19COVID19 Socio-economic impactsE-learning platformsE-learningNational Research and Education NetworksNRENTanzania Education and Research NetworkTERNETArticle