
An Evaluation of the Experience and Challenges Faced in Online Learning by Undergraduate Students at the National Open University of Nigeria
Issue: Vol.5 No.13 Issue Article 7 pp. 2099-2112
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20245137 | Published online 7th October, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This qualitative study aimed to evaluate the experiences and main obstacles faced by undergraduate students at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in the current online learning environment. Unstructured in-depth interviews were conducted to gather information from a selected sample of undergraduate students at NOUN. To overcome language barriers and encourage open communication, questions were asked in both Yoruba and English, and responses were accurately recorded in English. The transcription process involved preserving and compiling the recorded audio, while feedback from face-to-face interviews was collected using the “Rev voice recorder” app, which facilitated the direct ordering of interview transcripts. Thematic content analysis was utilized to analyze the responses and address the research questions. The results of the study indicated that despite the numerous benefits, NOUN undergraduate students still have negative views towards online education, which could affect the sustainability of the school. In addition to this, students face challenges such as inadequate power supply, poor internet connectivity, costly ICT resources, insufficient staffing, and low staff motivation in the online learning environment. The study’s recommendations for improving the NOUN programme included providing students with access to the university’s internet, ensuring good electrification, offering financial assistance for ICT equipment, increasing staff numbers, and providing training or retraining opportunities for current staff members. This study contributes to existing knowledge by highlighting the challenges faced by undergraduate NOUN students in online learning, underscoring potential implications for the institution’s future.
Keywords: Learning experiences, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), online learning environment, undergraduate students
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Dr (Mrs) Chidubem Deborah Adamu is a Lecturer 1 at the Wesley University’s Faculty of Education in Ondo State, Nigeria. She won the Global Excellence Stature (GES) Fellowship 4.0 award in support of her Postdoctoral Research in the Department of Educational Leadership & Management within the Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, South Africa in 2024. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and Economics (B.Sc.Ed.) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Additionally, she graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, with a Master of Arts in Education Tests and Measurement and a Doctor of Philosophy in the same field. Her research interests are in education and economics, sustainability education, secondary and higher education, educational measurement and evaluation, and action research. Her current research interest is in development and utilisation of Fourth Industrial Revolution Scale (4IRS) for assessing the effectiveness of secondary school teachers. Dr Adamu has published articles in local and foreign journals. She is well-travelled and has attended many conferences where she has presented articles. Dr Adamu is happily married with children.
Adamu, Chidubem Deborah.“An Evaluation of the Experience and Challenges Faced in Online Learning by Undergraduate Students at the National Open University of Nigeria,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.13 (2024): 2099-2112. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20245137
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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