Barriers of Information and Communication Technology on Distant Learning Program among Nursing Students in the National Open University Abeokuta, Nigeria

Abstract

Distant learning program is a formalised teaching and learning system specifically designed to be carried out remotely by using electronic communication, with about 180,000 students as at 2013 in the National Open University Nigeria. This study explored the barriers of information and communication technology to distant learning program among nursing students in the National Open University, Abeokuta, Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used for this study. One hundred and seven (107) questionnaires were distributed to the respondents. Data was analysed using statistical package for social sciences and was presented using frequency, percentages and distribution tables. The result of the barriers of information and communication technology in distant learning program traveled that hows 100% agrees to poor funding from the government as a barrier to distant learning program, 72.9% agrees to lack of power supply in school and students dormitories as a barrier to distant learning program while 27.1% disagrees, 59.81% agrees to poor ICT inclination as a barrier to distant learning program while 40.19% disagrees, 71.98% agrees to poor Internet connectivity in school as a barrier to distant learning program while 28.04% disagrees, 84.11% agrees to school curriculum as a barrier to distant learning program while 15.89% disagrees, 100% agrees to software and license cost as a barrier to distant learning program, 57.01% agrees to lack of skills in designing course-wares as a barrier to distant learning program while 42.99% disagrees. This shows that there are some barriers of information and communication technology to distant learning program. It was therefore recommended that the government should provide enough information and communication technology media that will be used in disseminating course outlines to students and provision of skilled man power that will operate the available technology.