The Impact of Information Technology on Open and Distance Learning (a Case Study of Noun).
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To find out whether Information Technology (IT) has any impact on distance learning
- To identify the types of Information Technology media used by NOUN
- To determine the teaching methods in distance learning that support use of Information Technology media
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Conceptual Framework
As long as people have been able to write or even d raw pictures, they have tried to use those skills to get messages sent to other people. The invention of printing and in the last century, broadcasting has enabled the development of new methods of communicating with people who are not face to face with us. These techniques have also made it possible to communicate with very large numbers of people through a single act of writing or broadcasting, very many more people than a teacher or lecturer could teach in a lesson. Writing on open learning in the book Trends and Issues, the institute of education, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) stated clearly factors that have brought distance education such profound popularity it has. They include:-
- The increasing demands by an increasing number of persons for higher education especially those who have missed the opportunity at their youthful ages to gain admission to conventional universities.
- The need to exploit the vast potential of modern technology for educational purposes of transference of knowledge and experience.
- The need to update knowledge through lifelong learning because of the exponential developments in information gathering and storage as well as rapidly dynamic analysis and application, which tend to render previously acquired knowledge obsolete in little or no time.
- The need to relate education to work
Chandlers (19991, p.16) looking at the objectives of distance education stated that it should aim at computer mediated communication at some or all of the following:-
- Providing an additional or parallel system to the formal system.
- Providing for a more flexible diversified and open system.
- Provide for an egalitarian society reaching people of all age, sex, economic classes and remote areas.
- Provide for a means of in-service and lifelong education and lastly,
- To make use of communication technology with a view to achieving a wider reach of education, this is more important.
Use of technology in distance education
The use of effective technology is critical to distance education. Yet an overview of academic activity field suggests many institutions have a long road to travel before they can offer successful Distance programs. Hartley (2004) concluded that ―the technology revolution has not reached academic or advising systems‖ (as he called them). He reached the conclusion by noting that only 2 of 10 technologies used to support the work of Teachers (Advisors) were found on more than 50% of campuses. These were :- online registration(60%) and degree audit system(57%)(p.25) the only synchronous delivery technology found on more than half of the campuses was the old, but reliable telephone (72%) with the next closest being the FAX machine (35%). Correspondingly, the only asynchronous delivery technology found on over 50% of all campuses was Email (85%). When respondents were asked to evaluate their satisfaction with the effectiveness of advisors a 3.03 rating on a 5 point scale was realized (Hartley, 2004 p.84). The critical importance of Hartley‘s analyses is that distance education is defined as the use of asynchronous technologies to assist both the traditional and distant learners, identify and achieve their maximum educational potential which enables them reach their educational goals. Without these technologies and techniques the students will not engage in effective distance education. Ojo (1981) recognized that distance learning utilizes a wide range of teaching technique. He added that apart from using prints, radio, television, there are other supportive services like posts, telegraph and computer facilities. These all come together to be branded as Information and Communication Technology Media.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought the impact of information technology on open and distance learning
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source and Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the impact of information technology on open and distance learning. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of information technology on open and distance learning
Summary
This study was on the impact of information technology on open and distance learning. Four objectives were raised which included: To find out whether Information Technology (IT) has any impact on distance learning, to identify the types of Information Technology media used by NOUN, to determine the teaching methods in distance learning that support use of Information Technology media. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of NOUN, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made directors, lecturers, IT technologists and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
The thrust of this study has been on determining the ways in which effective use of ICT media could enhance academic success of learners and of course lecturers in distance education as handled by National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The findings showed that the NOUN has not fully employed the ICT media that are currently made available but still patronizing the use of study centres, and face-to-face weekend/evening conventional methods/classes which were found a bit ineffective especially considering the large students‘ population involved. However, the little utilization of the available ICT media has proved successful as introduced and applied by NOUN and should be encouraged by students and all distance learning provider
Recommendation
- That ICT media should be uses in distance education to reach greater population of workers and school dropouts.
- That distance education providers and students/lecturers should accept the innovation in teaching approaches (methods) through the use of ICT media to enhance academic performance of learners (in-service).
- That government should equip NOUN and other institutions with ICT media for increase student enrolment, and effective distance learning programme.
References
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