Learners’ Acceptance and Perceived Benefits of Online Facilitation in Open and Distance Learning Institutions in Nigeria.

Abstract

This study investigated learners’ acceptance and perceived benefits of online facilitation in open and distance learning institutions in Nigeria. [1]The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of all ODL students in the 3 selected Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions in Nigeria. The two oldest ODL dual-mode institutions (the University of Nigeria Distance Learning Centre (UNN-DLC), Nsukka, and the University of Lagos, Distance Learning Institute (UNILAG-DLI), Lagos) and the only single-mode ODL institution (the National Open University of Nigeria, (NOUN)] were purposively selected for the study. A simple random technique was used to select learners from the three universities.  A total sample of 829 learners participated in the study. Two research questions guided the study while two hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 significant level. A researcher-developed questionnaire titled: Open and Distance Learners’ Acceptance of Online Facilitation Questionnaire (ODLAOFQ) was the instrument used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Analysis of Variance - ANOVA). Results showed among others that the F value of 5.024 is statistically significant at a 0.05 level of significance which implies that the mean differences in the level of acceptance of online facilitation as the medium of instructional delivery across students’ age groups are statistically significant. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that institutions should assist learners with subscribed laptops, and internet data to sustain their interests in online facilitation