INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ON DISTANCE EDUCATION IN NIGERIA UNIVERSITIES (A CASE STUDY OF THE NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERISTY, EDO STATE)

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the integration of Information Communication Technology on Distance Education in Nigeria Universities (A case study of National Open University, Edo State). Four (4) research questions were raised to guide the study

A sample size of 200 students which represent 10% of the entire population of 2000 was drawn from the population; this was selected through simple random sampling procedure and was a fair representation of the current enrolment level at the branch of the university. The major instrument used for this study was the questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed and validated by experts in the department of Adult and Non-formal Education, Faculty of Education University of Benin. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques such as tables, frequencies counts, and simple percentages

Findings of the study revealed that the various ICT tools available for distance education in the National Open Universities in Edo State are: computers, internet service, and broadcast media and ICT laboratory. It was further revealed that that ICT is contributing strongly to distance learning education, ICT has removed barrier of accessing instructor that are far away, The use of ICT has enhanced access to quality Distance education delivery and ICT helps to improve cost efficiency in distance education. It was further recommended that ICT media should be uses in distance education to reach greater population of workers and school dropouts. It was also recommended 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).