UTILIZATION AND COST IMPLICATIONS OF ILEARN VIDEO CONFERENCING IN E-LEARNING FOR DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMS IN GOVERNMENT-OWNED UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

This study examined the utilization and cost implications of ilearn video conferencing in e-learning for distance learning programs in government-owned universities in south-east Nigeria. The objectives were to find out the extent of utilization of iLearn video conferencing in e-learning in distance learning programmes and to determine the cost implications of utilizing e-learning in distance learning programmes of government-owned universities in South East, Nigeria. This study utilized a descriptive survey research design. The study population consisted of 12,928 respondents from ten government-owned universities in South East Nigeria; 12,752 students and 176 lecturers. The sample size for this study consisted of 1,451 respondents, comprising 1,275 students and 176 lecturers. Data were analyzed using mean ratings and standard deviations to provide a clear summary of responses. The t-test was employed to test the hypotheses, given the unbiased selection of the sample. The findings showed that the extent to which iLearn platform in e-learning is utilized in distance learning programmes of government-owned universities in South East, Nigeria is low and that the cost implications of using e-learning in distance learning programmes in government-owned universities in South East, Nigeria, included expensive uninterrupted internet facilities, high cost of maintaining computers and other devices used in e-learning, high cost of downloading resource materials and conducting research online, as well as expensive Megabyte (Mb) data and licensing or subscription fees for software tools. The study concludes that there is need for government-owned universities in South-East Nigeria to enhance the utilization of iLearn and other e-learning platforms while addressing the cost-related barriers that limit access and efficiency. It was recommended among other things that all stakeholders should implement initiatives to ensure that students in distance learning programmes have access to the necessary devices for e-learning, such as laptops or tablets.