ASSESSMENT OF AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING IN SELECTED

1. 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.

2. Outline The general outline for this presentation is as follows: Introduction Literature review Research methodology Data analysis and results Discussions, conclusion and recommendations

3. Background to the study • Historical background of Distance Learning in Nigeria • Distance Learning in Nigerian Universities • Resources for Distance Learning in Nigerian Universities

4. Statement of the Problem • 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.

5. Purpose of the Study The main purpose of the study was to assess the resources available in the delivery of distance learning in the Nigerian Universities.

6. Purpose of the Study contd. 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.

7. Research Questions 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?

8. Scope of the Study 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 Ekiti 4. 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.

9. Significance of the Study Distance learning curriculum planners Instructional materials developers Distance learning institutions Distant learners Educational researchers.

10. Literature Review The literature has been reviewed under the following sub-headings: • Distance learning in Nigeria education system: Historical perspective. • Roles of educational technology in distance learning • Learning and instructional delivery system in distance learning • Trends and related studies in distance learning and educational technology. • Appraisal of the reviewed literature

11. Research Type 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.

12. Sample and Sampling Technique 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, Lagos b. University of Ibadan c. National Open University of Nigeria d. 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.

13. Research Instrument 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).

14. Validation of Research Instrument • 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.

15. Procedure for Data Collection Direct Administration

16. Procedure for Data Analyses The data collected for this study was analyzed using frequency count and percentages to answer the research questions.

17. Results 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 

18. Results (Contd) Research Question 2: What are the non-human resources available for distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities?

19. Table 2: Available Non-human Resources for Distance Learning in the selected Nigerian Universities

20. Research Questions 3 To what extent are the non-human resources utilized by lecturers/facilitators in distance learning in the selected Nigerian universities?

21. Table 2: Available Non-human Resources for Distance Learning in the selected Nigerian Universities

22. Research Question 4: What are the problems militating against effective use of resources in distance learning in the selected Nigerian Universities?

23. Table 4 Problems militating against effective utilization of resources in distance learning universities 

24. Summary of Major Findings After the research questions were answered using percentages the following are the numerous of the research findings: • 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. • 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. • The lecturers utilized the chalk board and the print materials mostly. • Several factors accounted for the non-use of resources. Examples were listed below. • Non-availability of the resources • Inadequacy of resources to match students population • Non-functional resources • Poor maintenance of the resources • Lack of experts to operate the technical resources

25. Discussions of the Research Findings The findings on the study are discussed under the following four major headings. • Findings on the available human resources in distance learning in the selected Nigerian universities. • Findings on the available non-human resources for distance learning in the Nigerian universities. • Findings on the utilization of Non-human resources by lecturers/facilitators for distance learning in Nigerian universities • There are many problems affecting the utilization of resources in distant learning in the Nigerian Universities.

26. Conclusions The following conclusions were arrived at in the study. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Course materials were also confirmed to have been delivered very late to the students.

27. Recommendations Based upon the findings, the researcher made the following recommendations: • 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. • 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. • Lecturers in distance learning programme should be provided with the opportunities for their self development in order to enhance their knowledge and skills. • 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. • Federal Government should modify the curriculum to accommodate distance learning.

28. Suggestions for further studies In the light of the findings of the study the following suggestions are hereby made: • Similar studies could be conducted to determine the effectiveness of resources in distance learning. • Similar studies may be conducted to identify the problems inherent in distance learning in the Nigerian Universities. • Similar studies may be conducted to determine the attitude of lecturers toward the use of resources in distance learning in the Nigerian universities. • Similar studies could be conducted to determine the inhibiting and motivating factors for lecturer’s participation in distance learning in the Nigerian universities.

29. Thank you