Examining the Impact of Learning Management Systems in African Higher Education: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are increasingly prevalent in higher education, fundamentally altering the educational landscape. This study evaluates students' and academics' experiences with the use of LMS, shedding light on its impact across diverse educational contexts. Despite the growing importance of LMSs adoption, there remains a dearth of comprehensive research exploring its implications across various African educational settings. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, we conducted a systematic review of 54 articles from the Web of Science (WoS) database spanning the years 2020 to 2024. Through this rigorous approach, we sought to discern and analyse the perceptions of students and academics with regard to LMSs utilisation. The use of VOSviewer enabled the visualisation and identification of the most common keywords in this field. The findings illuminate the varied impacts of LMSs implementation on teaching methodologies, student engagement and overall learning outcomes. Furthermore, the review identifies prevalent themes that students and academics face when adopting LMSs, such as Improvement of Educational Outcomes, Challenges related to LMSs integration, Accessibility and Inclusivity as well as User Interface and Navigation. This study contributes valuable insights for African educational institutions that navigate the digital transformation of learning environments. The findings offer practical guidance for African universities seeking to optimise LMSs implementation strategies. They also enhance the overall educational experiences for both students and educators.