CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
E-learning is the act of taking a course
online using a modem, wireless, or cable connection to access academic
course materials from a computer, phone or other devices.Bermejo, 2005
defined E-learning as education that uses computerized communication
systems as an environmentfor communication, the exchange of information
and interaction between student and instructors.E-learning centers on
the intersection of education, teaching, and learning with ICT (Okoro:
2000).It clearlypreceded bytwo other disciplines: educational technology
and distance education. These two disciplines have uniquelycontributed
to the intensive use of ICT for educational purposes.
E-learning is also a natural evolution
of distance learning, which hastaken advantage of the latest tools to
emerge in the context of technologies for structuringeducation.
University education in Nigeria today is
the responsibility of entrepreneurs, agencies or groups such as
religious bodies, communities, universities and corporate bodies. Decree
No. 9 of 1993 prescribes minimum conditions to allow the establishment
of universities under certain guidelines determined by the government.
The supervision of these schools is secured by the federal and state
ministries of education.
In the Nigerian University system, which
includes private and public tertiary institutions, course unit system
is presently being practiced. In recognition of the need to encourage
private participation in the provision of university education, the
Federal Government established a law 1992, allowing private sectors to
establish universities following guidelines prescribed by the
Government. Under the course unit system, students are required to take
specific number of units of courses per week or per semester. There is
flexibility of choosing a preferred elective course under this course
unity system and compulsory courses in their various disciplines. The
course unit system is particularly interesting in the sense that
students have the flexibility of choosing a course of their choice for a
particular semester. The courses are designed in a stepwise manner so
as to allow graduation from lower level to higher level. The science
related courses are designed to allow for laboratory works. Consequently
all departments are assumed to consist of academic professionals in
deferent areas of interest. Each university in Nigeria is autonomous in
areas of teaching and research. Research articles, field notes, lecture
material, monographs, tutorial and other training materials are
deposited in their repositories.
This study is informed by the deplorable
state of educational system in Nigeria due to the inadequate teaching
learning facilities and infrastructures. Most libraries in Nigerian
higher institutions and secondary schools have audio-visual learning
materials that are rarelyutilized as a result of incessant power outages
and sometimes lack of awareness on the part of the students. Hence,
traditionally the main learning approach focuses on teachers rather than
the students. A teacher determines what to teach, how to teach and
thus, less concern about the students that is are at the receiving end.
There are various learning approaches being put in place to compensate
for the problems occasioned by this traditional learning paradigm. For
example online instruction has the potential to provide opportunities
for reflective and integrating learning outcomes. This approach provides
the students adaptive personalized e-learning because it is a general
term used to refer to computer-enhanced learning. It may involves the
use of mobile technologies such as personal digital assistants and
MP3/MP4 player and includes the use of web-based teaching materials and
hypermedia in general, as rooms or web-sites, discussion boards,
collaborative software, e-mail, blogs, wikis, text chart, computer aided
assistant, educational animation, simulation, games, learning
management software et cetera.
Therefore, the survival of business
education students in institutions in the 21st century will increasingly
rely on various forms of electronic delivery system and communication
facilities that are available in markets as requirements for educational
flexibility.
1.2 Statement of the problem
This study is informed by the deplorable
state of educational system in Nigeria due to the inadequate teaching
learning facilities and infrastructures. Most libraries in Nigerian
higher institutions have audio-visual learning materials that are rarely
utilized as a result of incessant power outages and sometimes lack of
awareness on the part of the students.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The main objective of this study is to
examine the influence of e-learning facilities on academic performance
of business education students in Nigeria University.
- To facilitate the achievement of (formal or informal) e-learninggoals.
- To help students acquire more knowledge and skills.
- To in improvestudents confidencethis will in turn help them to develop more successful learning strategies.
1.4 Research questions
- How can E-learningimprove student’s confidence?
- Can business education students acquire more knowledge and skills through e-learning?
- How can e-learning facilities influence academic performance of business education students in Nigeria University.
1.5 Research hypotheses
Ho:
Hi:
Ho:
Hi:
1.5 Significance of the study
This study will be highly important to
the government at all level, the parents, educational planners, decision
and policy makers as well as other stakeholders in education. It will
help in producing a healthy, literate self-reliant citizen that would
create wealth for human development.
Through this study, the students as well
as the teachers/lectures will be able to know the influence of
e-learning facilities on academic performance of business education
students in Nigeria University.
1.7 Scope/Limitations of the study
This study centers oninfluence of
e-learning facilities on academic performance of business education
students in Nigeria University.
Limitations of study
- 1. Financial constraint-
Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in
sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in
the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- 2. Time constraint- The
researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic
work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the
research work.
1.8 Definition of terms
E-learning:learning conducted via electronic media, typically on the Internet.
Education:the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.
Academic:of or relating to education and scholarship.