Assessment of the Effectiveness of Online Lectures by Bingham University during the Covid-19 Lockdown in Nigeria

Abstract

Following the lockdown in Nigeria as a result of COVID-19 pandemic which affected academic activities, Bingham University in order to run an unbroken academic calendar adopted digital technology to deliver lectures to its students. This research assessed the use of digital media communication technology for delivering lectures by Bingham University during the Covid-19 lockdown. Survey research design was used for the study with documentary, questionnaire and interview as the instruments to elicit information from the respondents. Anchored on the Social Presence Theory, Media Richness Theory and the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, the study validates the assumptions of the aforementioned three theories of computer mediated communication (CMC) that digital media technology creates a considerable high level of social presence in a communication encounter, interactivity and the capability of the digital media to cater for every communication need in the 21 st century. Further findings show that the use of online lectures was effective and it enabled Bingham University to complete its academic calendar for 2019/2020 academic session notwithstanding the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria. Findings further indicate that both staff and students demonstrated positive attitude towards the use of online lectures by the University. The result of the study also established that both staff and students encountered many challenges such as insufficient proficiency and experience in the use of digital technology for teaching and learning, cost of data, poor internet connectivity and poor power supply among others. Based on the findings, it is recommended that both staff and students undergo further training to improve their skills in the use of digital media technology, provision of adequate power supply, internet facilities and a general enabling environment for virtual teaching and learning to thrive.