ASSESSMENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION IN E-LEARNING FOR DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMMES IN GOVERNMENT-OWNED UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

This study assessed instructional media availability and utilization in e-learning for distance learning programmes in government-owned universities in south-east Nigeria. The objectives were to determine instructional media available for implementing e-learning in distance learning programmes of government-owned universities and to find out the extent of utilization of 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 results revealed that the learning materials available for implementation of e-learning delivery mode in distance learning programmes of the government-owned universities were mostly online libraries and online examination facilities. The other materials were not adequately available and that the extent to which e-learning is being utilized in distance learning programmes of government-owned universities in South East, Nigeria, was low (that is, not adequate). It was concluded that, for these universities to fully harness the potential of e-learning, there is an urgent need to improve the provision of instructional media and to address barriers to their effective utilization. It was recommended among other things that Federal and state governments should invest in improving and expanding the technological infrastructure, including high-speed internet access, to ensure reliable connectivity for both students and lecturers in ODL programme of South East Universities.