Acquisition of information and communication technology competencies by distance learners for effective utilization of library resources in NOUN Study Center Libraries in South East, Nigeria

Patricia Ngozi Ofodu

doi:10.4314/iijikm.v10i1.5

Abstract

ICT competencies for learners are highly encouraged for enhancement of communication between the instructor and the learner and for information retrieval. The study is aimed at ascertaining the level of acquisition of information and communication technology competencies by distance learners for effective utilization of library resources in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) study center libraries in south east. The research was guided by three research questions. The design adopted for this study was descriptive survey. The sample size is 391 but completed and returned questionnaire is 365. Data collected was analysed using frequency table and simple percentages. Findings from the study reveal that learners possess the ICT competencies. Problems militating the effective utilization of library resources were identified and strategies for enhancement. Recommendations include the provision of constant electricity as a basic necessity for the working of ICT tools, organization of workshops/orientations/seminars on the use of ICT in utilizing library resources, among others.Keywords: Acquisition, ICT Competencies, Distance Learners, Libraries, Library resources

Highlights

Education contributes immensely to the growth of both the individual and society that is why it is imperative to have it even at its minimal
P.N: Acquisition of Information and Communication Technology Competencies by Distance Learners for Effective Utilization of Library Resources in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Study Centre Libraries in South East Nigeria whereby opportunity is given to people, who have passed the ages of admission into regular universities to continue their education
This study aims at determining the: 1. extent to which the distance learners possess Information and communication technology (ICT) competencies for effective utilization of library resources in NOUN study centre libraries in South – East

Summary

Introduction

Education contributes immensely to the growth of both the individual and society that is why it is imperative to have it even at its minimal This led to the emerging glory of open and distance learning which is to assist people that are in serious need of education, who have missed such great opportunity in the past, to make it up. P.N: Acquisition of Information and Communication Technology Competencies by Distance Learners for Effective Utilization of Library Resources in NOUN Study Centre Libraries in South East Nigeria whereby opportunity is given to people, who have passed the ages of admission into regular universities to continue their education. Open and distance learning is for old people, rather it is universal, for everybody that are privileged to meet up with past denied opportunity. Nwezeh (2010) added that open and distance education is often described as the formalized learning received while the student is on a location outside the university campus using ICT, it is a highly pre-packaged text, audio, and video courses taken by an isolated learner with limited/without interaction with an instructor or other students

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