ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN BUEA MUNICIPALITY, SOUTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON

The study investigated online learning platforms and the academic performance of students in higher education institutions in Buea Municipality in the South West Region of Cameroon. It made use of two research objectives which were transformed into two research questions as follows: What is the influence of Google Classroom on the academic performance of students in higher education institutions in Buea Municipality? and what is the influence of Zoom on the academic performance of students in higher education institutions in Buea Municipality? The research questions were later transformed into research hypotheses. A descriptive survey design was employed. 357 students and 6 academic staff made the sample. Data were collected from students using a closed ended questionnaire, while an interview guide was used to collect data from the academic staff. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data from the questionnaire, while data from the interview guide were analysed thematically. The findings reveal that both google classroom and zoom have a positive and significant influence on the academic performance of students in higher education institutions in Buea Municipality. It was concluded that online learning platforms like google classroom and zoom positively influence academic performance of students in higher education institutions in Buea Municipality. It was recommended that students and academic staff in higher education institutions in Buea Municipality should integrate Google Classroom and zoom more widely in the teaching and learning process.