Facilities offered by the University of Ibadan (Nigeria) distance learning centre towards learners' academic goal-an evaluation

Abstract

Distance learners in the University of Ibadan, Nigeria unlike other distance learners of different parts of the world are faced with various educational, social and psychological problems associated with the code of distance learning. The facilities offered by the University of Ibadan distance learning centre towards the users’ multifarious needs are not sufficient. The level of adequacy of facilities provided by the University should be equal to meeting the needs; otherwise, the objectives of the programme stand the risk of becoming a dismal failure. This study therefore, attempts to assess the level of adequacy of facilities provided by the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre for its potential learners to meet their needs. The survey used stratified sampling techniques on the data collected from 1120 subjects among the five participating Faculties of the University – Education, Arts, the social Science, Science, and the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and employed multiple regression and simple percentage analysis. Three research questions were posed for the study. Distance Learners’ Questionnaire (DLQ) with (r=0.91) was the instrument used for data collection. Findings revealed that, most of the facilities are available but inadequately provided for learners’ use. It is therefore recommended that, the University of Ibadan, being the premier University in Nigeria, should endeavour to provide its distance learners with latest information infrastructure in order to increase and enhance the programme efficiency that takes care of learners’ needs. Key words: Facilities, distance learning, learner’s academic goal, evaluation