assessment of availability and utilization of resources for distance learning in selected nigerian...
TRANSCRIPT
ASSESSMENT OF AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING IN SELECTED
NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
M.Ed. RESEARCH INTERIM REPORT
BY
POPOOLA, Dipo Joseph
02/25OC508
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE EDUCATION,
FACULTY OF EDUCATION,
UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN, NIGERIA.
SUPERVISOR: Dr. S. A. Onasanya.
The general outline for this presentation is as follows:
Introduction
Literature review
Research methodology
Data analysis and results
Discussions, conclusion and recommendations
• Historical background of Distance Learning in Nigeria
• Distance Learning in Nigerian Universities
• Resources for Distance Learning in Nigerian Universities
In spite of the long history of distance learning in the Nigerian educational system, most studies conducted in Nigeria are theoretical (Alele-William, 1990; Yusuf, 1999; Jegede, 2001).
Empirical studies dealing with barriers to students’ learning in distance learning were conducted outside Nigeria (D’Alton, 2001: Galusha, 2000, Dede, 2001).
Studies on the use of resources for the delivery of distance learning in Nigerian Universities are not abundant.
Since resources are important in distance learning, it becomes necessary to assess the availability and utilization resource materials for distance learning in the Nigerian Universities. This will enable stakeholders to know the state of instruction in the distance learning centres.
The main purpose of the study was to assess the resources available in the delivery of distance learning in the Nigerian Universities.
Specifically the study was aimed at:
1.Assessing the available human resources in the delivery of distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities.
2.Assessing the available non-human resources in the delivery of distance learning in the selected Nigerian universities.
3.Assessing the degree of usage of non human resources by lecturers/facilitators in distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities.
4.Assessing the problems militating against effective use of resources in distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities.
The following research questions were answered in the course of this study:
1.What are the human resources available for distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities?
2.What are the non-human resources available for distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities?
3.To what extent are the non-human resources utilized by lecturers/facilitators in distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities?
4.What are the problems militating against effective use of resources in distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities?
The study was limited to four purposively sampling universities that run distance learning in Nigeria. (South/West ).
Thus, the following four universities were selected:1.University of Ibadan, Ibadan.2.University of Lagos, Lagos.3.University of Ado Ekiti, Ado Ekiti4. National Open University of Nigeria
Variables of interest in this study are the available human and material resources for the delivery of distance learning in these universities, the degree of utilization of these resources, and problems militating against their effective use.
Distance learning curriculum planners
Instructional materials developers
Distance learning institutions
Distant learners
Educational researchers.
The literature has been reviewed under the following sub-headings:
1. Distance learning in Nigeria education system: Historical perspective.
2. Roles of educational technology in distance learning 3. Learning and instructional delivery system in distance
learning4. Trends and related studies in distance learning and
educational technology.5. Appraisal of the reviewed literature
This study is descriptive research of the survey type. This is because information was obtained from the universities on the availability and utilisation of resources, and these information were used to describe the universities.
Universities that run distance learning in Nigeria were selected for this study. The Universities were selected from the South West of Nigeria. Thus the following four Universities were purposively chosen for the study:
a.University of Lagos, Lagosb.University of Ibadanc.National Open University of Nigeriad.Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti
From each of the four universities, 20 lecturers/facilitators who have been involved in distance learning programme in the Universities were purposively selected. Thus a total of eighty (80) lecturers/facilitators were selected cutting across different gender and discipline.
The instrument used for this study is a researcher-designed questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Assessment of Availability and Utilization of Resources for Distance learning in selected Nigeria Universities” (AUR).
The instrument was given to two educational technology experts in the Department of Science Education, University of Ilorin for their comments on content validity of the instrument. Based on their suggestions, the questionnaire was modified and given to the researcher’s supervisor for necessary corrections, suggestions and recommendations.
The reliability of the instrument was determined using test-retest method of two weeks interval and using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, it was found to be 0.66.
Direct Administration
The data collected for this study was analyzed using frequency count and percentages to answer the research questions.
Research Question 1: What are the human resources available for distance learning in the selected Nigerian universities?
Table 1:
Available Human Resources for Distance Learning in the selected Nigerian Universities
UNIVERSITIES Ibadan Lagos Ado-Ekiti NOUN Total
S/N HUMAN RESOURCES AV NA AV NA AV NA AV NA No %
1
2
3
4
5
6
Lecturers
Instructional developers
Technician/Electrician
Camera men
Laboratory attendant
Course coordinator
20
1
1
2
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
2
2
2
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
1
1
2
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
2
2
2
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
80
6
6
8
4
4
100
7.5
7.5
10
5
5
Research Question 2: What are the non-human resources available for distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities?
Table 2:
Available Non-human Resources for Distance Learning in the selected Nigerian Universities
TOTAL S/N NON-HUMAN
RESOURCES Ibadan Lagos Ado-Ekiti NOUN No %
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Telephone Network
Audio-Tape
Facsimile (fax)
Internet facilities
Computers
Satellite Broadcast
CD-Rom
Chalk board
Photographs Poster
Graphic Materials
Library books
Bulletin board
Programme book/ Print
materials
Models
Realia
AV
AV
-
AV
AV
AV
-
AV
AV
-
-
-
AV
AV
AV
-
-
AV
AV
-
AV
AV
AV
-
AV
AV
-
-
-
AV
AV
AV
-
-
AV
-
-
-
-
AV
-
AV
AV
-
-
-
AV
AV
AV
-
-
AV
AV
-
AV
AV
AV
-
AV
AV
-
AV
-
AV
AV
AV
-
-
4
3
-
3
3
4
-
4
4
-
1
-
4
4
4
-
-
100
75
-
75
75
100
-
100
100
-
25
-
100
100
100
-
-
Research Questions 3To what extent are the non-human resources utilized by lecturers/facilitators in distance learning in the selected Nigerian universities?
Table 2:
Available Non-human Resources for Distance Learning in the selected Nigerian Universities
Very
Frequently Frequently Sometime Not at all
S/N Items No. of
Lecturers
% No. of
Lecturers
% No. of Lecture
rs
% No. of
Lecturers
%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Telephone Network
Audio-Tape
Facsimile (fax)
Internet facilities
Computers
Satellite Broadcast
CD-Rom
Chalk board
Photographs Poster
Graphic Materials
Library books
Bulletin board
Programme
book/Print materials
Models
Realia
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
80
-
-
-
-
-
80
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
100
-
-
- -
-
100
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30
20
-
20
20
20
-
20
-
-
-
-
20
-
-
-
-
38
25
-
25
25
25
-
25
-
-
-
-
25
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Research Question 4: What are the problems militating against effective use of resources in distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities?
Table 4
Problems militating against effective utilization of resources in distance learning universities
S/No Factors Yes No
1 Non-availability of the resources 80
2 Inadequacy of resources to match students
population
80
3 Non-functional resources 80
4 Poor maintenance of the resources 80
5 Lack of experts to operate the technical resources 80
After the research questions were answered using percentages the following are the numerous of the research findings:
1. The results from the data analysis indicated that the universities had adequate lecturers/facilitator for the delivery of distant learning, while some of the universities like Ado-Ekiti, Ibadan, and NOUN did not have other required human resources adequately.
2. The universities were also found not to have non-human resources in fact modern information and communication technologies were not used, thereby delivering instructional content through the programme/print materials and chalk board reducing the standards of distance learning.
3. The lecturers utilized the chalk board and the print materials mostly.
4. Several factors accounted for the non-use of resources. Examples were listed below.
5. Non-availability of the resources
6. Inadequacy of resources to match students population
7. Non-functional resources
8. Poor maintenance of the resources
9. Lack of experts to operate the technical resources
The findings on the study are discussed under the following four major headings.
1. Findings on the available human resources in distance learning in the selected Nigerian universities.
2. Findings on the available non-human resources for distance learning in the Nigerian universities.
3. Findings on the utilization of Non-human resources by lecturers/facilitators for distance learning in Nigerian universities
4. There are many problems affecting the utilization of resources in distant learning in the Nigerian Universities.
The following conclusions were arrived at in the study.
1. The delivery of instructional content in distance learning programme in the Nigerian Universities was by print media and face-to-face methods. Learners met weekly at agreed centres to receive tutorials. Sometimes, instructions were packaged and sent to the learners. There was total absence of instructional media like the television programmes, radio programmes, computer programmes among other, while internet, e-mail and telephone services were for office use only in their head offices.
2. Media personnel and technical staff were also not available in distance learning programmes in the Nigerian Universities. The issue of understanding of the use of resources by the lecturers was just not there because the resources were not available and those available one were not function.
3. The federal Government had not been funding our distance learning programmes in the Nigerian Universities adequately, forcing the universities involved to concentrate on the offer art, education and management courses.
4. Course materials were also confirmed to have been delivered very late to the students.
Based upon the findings, the researcher made the following recommendations:
1. There should be less emphasis on the utilization of traditional methods of instructional delivery, while the use of instructional media be increased to complement the traditional methods.
2. All distance learning universities in Nigeria should make available all resources needed for the purpose of effective teaching and learning process. These resources include media personnel, technical staff, television programme, radio programme, computer programme and e-mail.
3. Lecturers in distance learning programme should be provided with the opportunities for their self development in order to enhance their knowledge and skills.
4. All stakeholders in the education enterprise like the non-governmental organizations (NGOS), distance learning institutions, and the Federal Government should create awareness in the public on the importance of distance learning.
5. Federal Government should modify the curriculum to accommodate distance learning.
In the light of the findings of the study the following suggestions are hereby made:
1. Similar studies could be conducted to determine the effectiveness of resources in distance learning.
2. Similar studies may be conducted to identify the problems inherent in distance learning in the Nigerian Universities.
3. Similar studies may be conducted to determine the attitude of lecturers toward the use of resources in distance learning in the Nigerian universities.
4. Similar studies could be conducted to determine the inhibiting and motivating factors for lecturer’s participation in distance learning in the Nigerian universities.
Thank you