Ibeme, Nwamaka (2019)

AbstractOpen distance learning is a concept aimed at bridging the time, geographical, economic, social, education and communication distance between student and institution, student and courseware and student and peers. Open distance learning is technology-driven, and the delivery mode is guided by literacy skills and Information and Communications Technologies. Frustrations occur when expectations are not met in terms of availability, accessibility and effectiveness of instructional technologies for driving open distance learning. Other side of the coin which can lead to frustrations is the learners’ inability to adapt to usage of instructional technologies in the learning process. The paper investigates the factors that can hinder learners’ expectations from being met as well as the availability and accessibility of the instructional technologies in meeting the development of higher education in Nigeria. The aim is to find ways to improve students’ learning and the quality of open and distance learning in Nigeria. National Open University of Nigeria was used for the study. The survey research design was used. A sample size of 396 respondents from a population of 59,000 pooled from six study centres was used for the study. Both primary and secondary data comprising review of related literature, questionnaires and interviews were used. The research questions and hypothesis were tested using arithmetic mean with all computations done with SPSS program (E-views 7.0). The study found that the main technologies used by open and distance learning in Nigeria are e-courseware, computer, radio, television, teleconferencing, Internet, CD-ROMS, DVD, VCD, videos tapes. Although problems of affordability and internet connectivity were reported, these technologies, if properly harnessed, have significant effects on the development of higher education in Nigeria. The study recommends subsidy intervention to boost affordability, accessibility and utilisation of instructional technologies in the ODL centres. There should be constant provision of awareness on how to access and utilise the available instructional technologies to ensure high return on investment. Regulators of Internet Service Providers should build policy to ensure strong and constant internet connectivity in the ODL centres in the country.Keywords: open and distance learning, Instructional technologies, Information and Communications Technologies, e-Learning, higher education, policy