THE ROLE OF LECTURERS IN USING VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AS A SUPPORT TO CONVENTIONAL EDUCATION IN EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA

The study examined the role of lecturers in using a virtual learning environment to support conventional education at Ekiti State University. The purpose of the study was to determine the impacts of virtual classrooms on teaching and learning at Ekiti State University. The study adopted a descriptive research design of survey type. The population consists of 7,719 students in all the faculties out of which two faculties were selected through a multistage procedure, a sample size of 200 was used for the study. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect the information required for the study. Data gathered were analysed with the use of mean and standard deviation. The study revealed that the students of Ekiti State University are aware of the possible merits of adopting a virtual learning environment into their educational environment. Therefore, it was recommended that university management provide well-equipped laboratories that will enhance the effective dissemination of knowledge in the virtual learning environment and that both lecturers and students be trained on how to use virtual learning to deliver and receive lectures.