ABSTRACT

This study investigated students’ use of e-learning resources at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The study was guided by six purposes, six research questions and six null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The descriptive research design was adopted. The population forv the study was 14212 students out of which a sample size of 375 students was constituted from the three study centres used for the study through proportionate stratified random sampling technique. In furtherance, a well-structured researcher designed 79-item questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was face-validated by three experts one each from Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Measurement and Evaluation and Library and Information Science all from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. The reliability of the instrument was established through the test-retest method that yielded reliability indices of 0.82, 0.84, 0.89, 0.88, 0.86 and 0.85 respectively for the six clusters and an overall index of 0.86 on the Pearson’s Product Moment Reliability Scale. Administration of the instrument was by direct contact using three research assistants who were well briefed on the modalities to follow. Data related to research questions were analysed using mean and standard deviation with benchmark mean of 2.5 for clusters rated on degree of “Agreement” and real limit of numbers for clusters rated on “Extent” The null hypotheses were tested using the t-test statistic at 0.05 level of significance. Findings included among others that various e-learning resources are provided to NOUN students, that NOUN students have positive disposition and perspective about e-learning resources and therefore make use of them to a great extent. Results also show that students’ digital skills level is well above average.  It was also revealed that challenges confronting NOUN students’ use of e-learning resources include irregular power supply and poor internet services. Based on the findings it was recommended among others that Management of NOUN should ensure regular maintenance and upgrade of e-learning facilities; there should be increased awareness creation on e-learning resources as well as periodic on-line training and retraining of NOUN students on current digital skills. This can be executed using online collaborative and e-learning tools and would facilitate increase in the use of e-learning resources in the university.