CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

Online learning has grown tremendously over the past several years as technology has been integrated into education and training. “online-learning” may be defined as instruction delivered electronically via the Internet, Intranets, or multimedia platforms

The term e-learning is not a new phenomenon in promoting education in some parts of world. Presently, some institutions in Nigeria are using it to promote distance education (DE) and life long learning. E-learning according to Sale (2002), is the use of electronic technology to deliver education and training applications, monitor learner’s performance and report learner’s progress. Hedge and Hayward (2004), defined it as an innovative approach for delivering electronically mediated, well-designed, learner-centered and interactive learning environments to anyone, anyplace, anytime by utilizing the internet and digital technologies in concern with instructional design principles. It is all about learning with the use of computers. In this age, learning with the use of computer is simply online ways of acquiring knowledge through the internet or through the offline – CD-ROM; the online involves the use of Internet Explorer/Navigator. It may be in form of Audio, Visual, and or Audio/Visual. The process and applications of e-learning technology include computer-based learning, web-based learning, virtual learning, blended learning, hybrid models, internet learning, networked learning, Tele-learning, computer-assisted learning and online classroom and digital collaboration where contents is delivered via the internet, intranet/extranet, audio and or video tapes, satellite TV and CD-ROM (Arbaugh, 2000; Achuonye, 2004; Ukoha, 2007).

Online learning has become an increasingly popular learning approach in higher educational institutions due to vast growth of internet technology. Nowadays E-Learning has a competitive advantage and many universities, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions have implemented it and this has impacts on the student’s performance (Yakaraju 2014). Online Learning centers on the inter section of education, teaching and learning with ICT it clearly preceded by two other disciplines; educational technology and distance education. These two disciplines have uniquely contributed to the intensive use of ICT for educational purposes Online Learning is also a natural evolution of distance learning, which has taken advantages of latest tools to emerge in the context of technologies for structuring education. Most electronic learning courses or programmes are available anytime and anywhere through the world-wide web (www). According to Abimbola and Abolade (2009), the world-wide web breaks down the walls of time and geographic location, and gives every individual the ability to be a continuing and lifelong learner through accessing the resources of the ‘website via email.

University education and other tertiary education in Nigeria today Is the responsibility of government 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 determines by the government.

The supervision of these schools is secured by the federal and state ministry of education. To this end, the goals of teacher education among other are to;

v    Help teachers to fit into social life of the community and the society at large and enhance their commitment to national goals.

v    Provide teachers with intellectual and professional background adequate for their assignment and make them adaptable to changing situations

v    Encourage further the spirit of enquiry and creativity in teachers… (National policy on education 2014).

To make those goals realizable in the Nigerian University system, college of education, institutes of Education, Nigerian teachers institutes among others, both private and public tertiary institutions, course units system is presently being practiced. 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 and can be able to carry out further research through the use of ICT whereby research articles, field notes, lecture materials, monographs tutorials and other training materials are deposited repositories.

According to Oye (2011), most libraries in Nigeria higher institutions and secondary schools have audio-visual materials that are rarely utilized as a result incessant power outages and sometimes lack of awareness and self-motivation on the part of the students.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The challenges experienced in adequent online learning implementation and management underline the urgent need to find solutions that suit specific contexts. The significant investments in online learning have made user acceptance an increasingly critical issue for technology implementation and management (Ong, et al., 2004). With the increased reliance on information systems in the classrooms, and to other sectors of the economy, identifying factors that impact successful adoption and use is important (Yi & Hwang, 2003). This becomes even more critical for developing economies  like Nigeria that are faced with other challenges and constraints in resources that can hinder success. Little is known about user’s online learning experience (Sun, et al., 2008) therefore opportunities to investigate and better understand users’ online learning experience and their overall perceptions. Assessment of audience exposure , attention, and retention in the online learning platform is needed yet limited studies have investigated the underexplored study.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is on the Assessment of Audience Exposure, Attention and Retention to Online Learning Platforms in Lagos Nigeria.

The specific objectives are thus:

1 To investigate the  Overall Satisfaction and Subjects’ Perceptions of the Online Learning platforms in Lagos

2 To examine the ratings of the online learning platforms  and its features

3 To analyze the perceived benefits of the Online Platforms

4  To investigate the Problems/Limitations of Online Learning Platforms

1.4 Research Questions

1 What are the Overall Satisfaction and Subjects’ Perceptions of the Online Learning platforms in Lagos?

2 what are the Ratings of Learning platforms and its Dimensions?

3 Are there any perceived benefits of the online platforms?

4  what are the perceived problems/Limitations of Online Learning platforms?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The results from this study provide clues in how online components and strategies might be implemented to enhance teaching and learning in the 21^st century, specifically as we work to engage students actively in learning, to provide real-world contexts for learning, and to promote critical thinking and deep learning.

Findings of this study maybe a contribution to the government at all level with the policy to develop innovative materials for use in schools. In the same way, the study provides an insight knowledge and guidelines that may be of help to policy makers in Nigeria. It will equally be useful for organization like colleges of Education and other organization that may likely be aiming and preparing to use information and communication technology for subject matter delivery. It is hoped that findings of this study may help instructors in institutions in the country to improve in the use of computer and other e-learning materials to facilitate classroom activities.  

      Finally, this study provides an input and variety of instructional strategies to the students, teachers and researchers in the area of  Online learning. Also findings and recommendation of this study may serve as a stepping stone to future researchers who may be interested in conducting further researches in Online learning and this may bring about significant improvement in the teaching and learning processes in Nigeria.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This work is on the assessment of audience exposure, attention and retention to online learning platforms. It was specifically restricted to one of the most popular online learning platform  in Lagos Nigeria which is tutor.ng

1.7 Limitations of the Study

There are a lot of constraints and limitations that nearly hinders the success of the work.

Financial constraint: Finance once one of the constraints that limited the study. The researcher being a student was faced with challenges of fund visiting  the study location every day in other to get the needed number of respondents.

Time constraints: The researcher were faced with time constraints. The time allocated for the research is too short to combine with the preparation of the final year exam.

Despite all the shortcoming and limitations, the researcher were able to handle the situation as it does not in any way alter or conflicts with the findings of the study.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Online Learning: refers to electronic learning. This means using a computer to deliver part, or all of a course whether it is in a school or a full distance learning course.

Education: Education refers to the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. The act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgement and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

Asynchronous Interaction:  It means in this study, the tools that enable communication and collaboration over a period of time through a different time-different place mode

Synchronous Interaction: It means tools that enable real time communication and collaboration over a period of time through a different place mode.