Online Platforms Used for Teaching and Learning during the COVID-19 Era: The Case of LIS Students in Delta State University, Abraka

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to investigate the online platforms used in the teaching/learning during the lockdown period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study adopted a survey method and data were collected from students of the Department of Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka. Second year (200 level) students in the second semester of 2019/2020 academic session were purposely selected for the study. Online Questionnaire was designed on survey monkey and the link forwarded to the students. In total, 187 students participated in the study. To supplement data collected from the students, 3 lectures were engaged in an open-ended interview using WhatsApp chat. The study found that WhatsApp, telegram are platforms used for delivering online lectures by the LIS educators during the period of general lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lecturers are always available, opportunity to store lectures and files for re-use at convenience, collaborative learning, sharing learning materials, freedom in asking lecturer questions, and conducive learning at home were indicated as some of the benefits of receiving lectures through online platform. While, not having smartphone or android phone, making huge amount of learning materials available, too many messages coming during the lecture, buying data for each lecture is expensive, time consuming, eye straining, and network failure were indicated as some challenges associated with receiving lectures through online platforms in Nigeria. The LIS lecturers interviewed also mentioned the cost of paying for data, network failure, laxity of students, and unable to conduct exams, and nonchalant attitude of students toward lectures as some challenges associated with teaching using the online platform. Teacher/students relationship can be improved significantly with use of social media platforms like WhatsApp in the academic environment. The adoption and use of social media platforms like WhatsApp will make the teaching/learning process an interactive, collaborative, and participatory activity for all students.