Online Instruction in South-Eastern Universities: Prospects, Challenges, and Strategies

Onwumere Michael, Chibuikem S. Ohanaka, Lilian O. Nwandu, Ngele Cletus Ezeoke, Ugwujor Duke Ngozi

Abstract


The availability of new telecommunication technologies, such as the World Wide Web and interactive videoconferencing, has increased interest among learners, especially adult learners in the university, thus making online instruction possible. Therefore, this paper focuses on analysing the prospects and problems of online instruction in Nigerian universities. Three research questions guided the study, using a descriptive research survey. The population of the study was made up of all the 560 members from Universities in Abia state and 263 members from Universities in Enugu state. A sample size of 269 respondents was used, using Taro-Yamane’s formula. An instrument for data collection was a researcher–made questionnaire, duly validated and the reliability tested, using Cronbach's alpha, which yielded a coefficient index of 0.81. The researchers and 7 research assistants administered and retrieved the questionnaire. A 97% return rate was achieved. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. The analysed data identified the prospects and problems of online instruction in Nigerian universities. However, it was recommended among others that the government should positively demonstrate a more serious attitude to the use of online instruction in schools with the provision of adequate funding and facilities.


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References


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