You are here

Home » Content

PROVIDING INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT TO DISTANCE EDUCATION STUDENTS: A Case of The University of Ghana, Legon

Journal Name:

  • The Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education

Publication Year:

  • 2010

Key Words:

Author NameUniversity of Author
Abstract (2. Language): 
A study to investigate the current state of Information Communication Technology policy of the University of Ghana Distance Education (DE) programme and the extent of awareness and use of ICTs in general by the DE learners was carried out. The survey methodology was adopted using questionnaire and interview instruments. Respondents were made up of 120 DE students, the coordinator of the DE programme, and 5 workers at the DE unit. The questionnaires were distributed to all the 120 students while the workers responded to a semi-structured interview. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage frequency distribution and examining relationships). The main findings of the study revealed that there was a policy statement on providing ICT-based support to the DE learners; however, this policy has not yet been implemented. Most of the DE students were fully aware of ICT and majority of them use the internet across the regions. The students had positive attitude towards ICTs in that they deemed it necessary in the course of their studies and were willing to pay for ICT services. The main barriers identified that could affect the usefulness of the various ICTs were electricity, cost and accessibility. The study recommends among others, the forging of partnerships between distance education programmes and ICT companies, the networking of DE centres and the use of diverse ICT facilities, among others.
Bookmark/Search this post with
FULL TEXT (PDF): 
PDF icon arastirmax-providing-information-communication-technology-support-distance-education-students-case-university-ghana-legon.pdf
  • 3
129-145
  • English

REFERENCES

References: 

Adele, F., Bane & Milheim, WD. (1995). Internet Insights: How Academics Are Using The Internet. Computers in Libraries, 15(2):32-36
Alemna, A. A. (2004). Distance education and librarians: What Should Be Done? Proceedings of the Seminar of Committee of University Librarians and their Deputies, 20-22.
Alreck, P. L. & Settle, R. B (1995). The Survey Research Handbook. Homewood, Illinois. Richard D. Irwin Inc. p.89.
Barker B. B., Frisbie, A. G. & Patrick, K. R. (1989). Broadening The Definition Of Distance Education In The Light Of The New Telecommunications Technologies. The American Journal of Distance Education, 3 (1), 20-29.
Brakel, P. A. & Chisenga, J. (2003). Impact Of ICT–Based Distance Learning. The Electronic Journal Library, 21(5), 476-486.
143
Carswell, L. (2000). Distance education via the Internet: The student experience. British Journal of Educational Technology, 31 (1), 29-46.
Chifwepa, V. (2008). Providing Information Communication Technology-Based Support To Distance Education Students: A Case Study Of The University Of Zambia. Africa Journal Library Archive Information Science, 18(1), 45-54.
Coffey, J. 1998, Distance Learnining- Efficient And Effective But No Panacea. Journal of Education+Training (40)6/7:244-246.
Collins, M. (2000). Comparing Web, correspondence and lecture versions of a second-year non-major biology course. British Journal of Educational Technology, 31 (1): 21-27.
Darkwa, O. & Mazibuko, F. (2000). Creating virtual learning communities in Africa; Challenges and prospects. First Monday (5)8:1-12.
Devi, P. (2006). An ICT-Based Distance Education Mode: An Evaluation Of The ICT-Based Modes At The University Of The South Pacific. Thesis presented to the Victoria University of Wellington), pp.31-55.
Dzakira, H. & Idrus R. H. (2003). Teacher- learner interaction in distance education: A case of two Malaysian Universities. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education-TODJDE (4)3: 1-13.
Ford, N. & Miller D. (1996). Gender differences in Internet perceptions and use. Aslib Proceedings, 48(7/8), 183-192.
Gulati, S. (2008). Technology-Enhanced Learning In Developing Nations: A Review, The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 9(1). http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/articke/view/477/1011 retrieved 13th May, 2009.
Holmberg, B. (1995). The Evolution Of The Character And Practice Of Distance Education. Open Learning, 10(2), 47-53.
Hong, KS., Lai, KW & Holton, D. 2003. Students' satisfaction and perceived learning with a web-based course. Journal of Educational Technology and Society (6)1.
Katz, J. & Aspden P. (1998). Motivations for and barriers to Internet usage: results of a national public opinion. Internet Research: Electronic Networking Applications and Policy, 7(3), 170-188.
Kelsey, K.D. & D'souza, A. (2004) Student Motivation for Learning at a Distance: Does Interaction Matter? Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 7(2):122-132.
Kwapong, O. A. T. (2007). Widening Access to Tertiary Education For Women In Ghana Through Distance Education. Turkish online Journal of distance education-TOJDE, 8(4),65-67.
Kwapong, O. A. T. (2008). Comparing knowledge and usage of ICT among male and female distance learners of an endowed and deprived area in a developing country in Africa. Journal of information Technology Education, 8, 1-13.
144
Kwarteng, A. A. (2008). The president’s special initiative on distance learning: A brief report. pp. 1-7.
Lazinger, S. S, Bar-Han J. & Peritz B. C (1997). Internet Use by Faculty Members In Various Disciplines: A Comparative Study. Journal of the American Society for Information Sciences, 48(6), 508-518.
Leary, J. & Berge, Z. (2007). Successful distance education programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, Turkish online Journal of distance education-TOJDE, 8(2), 136-145.
Leasure, A. R., Davis, L., & Thievon, S. L. (2000). Comparison Of Student Outcomes And Preferences In A Traditional Vs. World Wide Web-Based Baccalaureate Nursing Research Course. Journal of Nursing Education, 39(4), 149-154.
Markwei, E. D. (2001). Awareness and Use Of Internet By Academic Staff And Students Of The University Of Ghana. Thesis presented to the Department of Information Studies, University of Ghana), p.56.
Mattheos, N. Jonnson, J. Schittek, M. & Attström, R. (2000). Technology and media for distance learning in academic health education, Journal of Dentistry: Educational Technology Section, 4(2), 12-21.
Moore, M. G. (1989). Three types of interaction. The American Journal of Distance Education, 3 (2),1-6.
Perry, T. T. Perry, L. A. & Horsack-Curlin, K. (1998). Internet Use by University Students: An Interdisciplinary Study On Three Campuses, Internet Research: Electronic Networking Application and Policy, 8(2), 136-141.
Peters O. (2002). Learning and Teaching in Distance Education. http://www.feruni-hagan.de/ZIFF/v2-ch40a.htm retrieved on 15th April, 2009.
Restauri, S. L., King, F.L., & Nelson, J.G. (2001). Assessment Of Students' Ratings For Two Methodologies Of Teaching Via Distance Learning: An Evaluative Approach Based On Accreditation. ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 460148.
Soon, K. H., Sook, K. I. & Jung, C. W. (2000). The Effects Of Internet Based Distance Learning In Nursing. Computers in Nursing, 18(1), 19-25.
Tenkorang, O. M. (2001). The Role of Libraries in Distance Education (unpublished thesis submitted to the Department of information studies, University of Ghana, Legon) 6-9, 148.
Thurmond, V. & Wambach, K. (2004). Understanding Interaction in Distance Education: A Review Of Literature. International Journal of Instructional Technology Distance Learning,
1(1):19-23.
UNESCO, (2007). EFA global monitoring report 2008-Education for all by 2015-Will make it?. London : Oxford University Press.
UNESCO, (2002). Information and information communication technology in distance education: specialized training materials. Paris: UNESCO, pp 4-9.
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001293/129395e.pdf retrieved on 17th March, 2009.
145
Usun, S. (2004). Interaction in Turkish distance education system. AACE Journal, 12(2):123-140. http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/ualturki/Digital%20Library/Interaction%20in%20.... accessed on 13th May,2009.
Vrasidas, C. & McIsaac M.S. (1999). Factors Influencing Interaction In An Online Course. American Journal of Distance Education, 13(3), 22-36.
World Bank (2002). African Region Human Development Working Paper: Distance education and Information Communication Technology for Learning, pp. 8- 33.
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/AFRICAEXT/Resources/dl_ict_education.pdf retrieved on 15th March, 2009.

Thank you for copying data from http://www.arastirmax.com