Research Article

Relationship between Flexibility of Learning, Support Services and Students’ Attitude towards Distance Learning Programme in Nigeria

Oluwole Caleb Falode 1, Emeka Joshua Chukwuemeka 1 * , Ahmed Bello 2, Tunde Baderinwa 1
More Detail
1 Department of Educational Technology Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, NIGERIA2 Department of Science Education, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, NIGERIA* Corresponding Author
European Journal of Interactive Multimedia and Education, 1(1), 2020, e02003, https://doi.org/10.30935/ejimed/8320
OPEN ACCESS   1509 Views   1518 Downloads
Download Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between flexibility of learning, support services and students’ attitude towards distance learning programme in Nigeria. Correlational research design was adopted and 385 participants constituted the sample of the study using a multi-stage sampling procedure. The instrument used for data collection was a researchers-designed questionnaire comprising of three sections. The questionnaire was validated by experts and administered once on the randomly selected sample to determine the internal consistency of the items. Cronbach Alpha formula yielded 0.74, 0.77 and 0.78 for the three different constructs of the questionnaire. Two research questions were raised and two corresponding null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data gathered were analysed using Mean, Standard Deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation formula. The results obtained reveal a positive correlation between the flexibility of learning and students’ attitude towards distance learning programme (r=0.439, p<0.05). Also, there was a positive correlation between support services and students’ attitude towards distance learning programme (r=0.334, p<0.05). It was therefore recommended among others that providers of distance learning programmes should ensure high flexibility and quality learner support services in order to cater for academic needs of learners with different characteristics as these would enhance students’ positive attitude and improve the enrolment of candidates for distance learning programmes.

CITATION (APA)

Falode, O. C., Chukwuemeka, E. J., Bello, A., & Baderinwa, T. (2020). Relationship between Flexibility of Learning, Support Services and Students’ Attitude towards Distance Learning Programme in Nigeria. European Journal of Interactive Multimedia and Education, 1(1), e02003. https://doi.org/10.30935/ejimed/8320

REFERENCES

  1. Adamu, A. U. (2017, July 26). NOUN: Student population hits 400,000. Blueprint. Retrieved from https://www.blueprint.ng/noun-students-population-hits-400000/
  2. Afify, M. K. (2018). The Impact of Interaction between Timing of Feedback Provision in Distance E-Learning and Learning Styles on achieving Learning Outcomes among Arab Open University Students. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 14(7), 3053-3068. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/91619
  3. Ajzen, l., & Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Social Behavior. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall.
  4. Alhih, M., Ossiannilsson, E., & Berigel, M. (2017). Levels of Interaction Provided by Online Distance Education Models. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 13(6), 2733-2748. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.01250a
  5. Alice, C., Guopeng, F., Valley, W., Cyprien, L., Eduardo, J., & Andrew, R. (2016). Flexible Learning Strategies in First through Fourth-Year Courses. University of British Columbia.
  6. Balami, Y. G., & Sakir, A. (2014). Determinants of Adult Learners Enrolment into Open and Distance Learning Institutions in the North East, Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 5(31), 58-64.
  7. Falode, O. C., Bello, A., & Aje, D. E., (2019). Comparative Effects of Electronic and Printed Books on Biology Students’ Achievement and Attitude towards Genetics Concepts in Colleges of Education in Niger State, Nigeria. Journal of Economic and Social Research, 18 (2), 106-115.
  8. FRN. (2013). Federal Republic of Nigeria. National Policy on Education. Lagos: Federal Government Press.
  9. Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2016). Higher education and the digital revolution: About MOOCs, SPOCs, social media, and the Cookie Monster. Business Horizons, 59(4), 441-450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2016.03.008
  10. Kaur, S. (2016). Student Support Services in Higher Education: A Student Perspective. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 3(9), 126-132.
  11. Khan, B. H. (2007). Flexible learning in an information society. Hershey, PA: IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-59904-325-8
  12. Lee, K., Choi, H., & Cho, Y. H. (2019). Becoming a competent self: A developmental process of adult distance learning. The Internet and Higher Education, 41, 25-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2018.12.001
  13. Lytridis, C., Tsinakos, A., & Kazanidis, I. (2018). ARTutor—An Augmented Reality Platform for Interactive Distance Learning. Education Sciences, 8(6), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci8010006
  14. Mayanja, J., Tibaingana, A., & Birevu, P. M. (2019). Promoting Student Support in Open and Distance Learning using Information and Communication Technologies. Journal of Learning for Development, 6(2), 177-186.
  15. Mburu, S. W. (2017). Factors Influencing Learners’ Enrolment in Distance Learning Programmes in Kenya: A Case of University of Nairobi (Unpublished Master Thesis), University of Nairobi, Kenya.
  16. National Planning Commission. (2017). The National ICT roadmap (2017–2020). Retrieved from http://www.niimp.gov.ng/?page_id=1218
  17. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). (2016). Global education monitoring report 2016: Education for people and planet, creating sustainable futures for all. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.