International Journal of Educational Research and Policy Making (IJERPM), Vol. 3, Issue 1, 2020
468
International Journal of Educational Research and Policy Making
DOI: 10.13140/ijerpm.03.01.468
ISSN (P): 2695-2351 - Vol. 3, Issue 1, September 2020
Copyright © IJERPM 2020
E-LEARNING AND STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN
NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA (NOUN): A CASE
STUDY OF YENOGOA STUDY CENTRE, BAYELSA STATE.
Nwokonko, R. N.
Department of Educational Administration and Planning, Abia State University, Uturu
Accepted: August 7, 2020
Abstract: The study investigated E-learning and students academic performance in
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN): A case study of Yenogoa Study Centre,
Bayelsa State. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive
survey research design was used. Simple random sampling was used to draw 370
respondents. Questionnaire was used for data collection. A reliability index of 0.82 was
determined. Descriptive method of simple percentages was used to answer the research
questions. The two hypotheses were tested using chi-square. The findings of the study
showed that, there is a significant influence on computer skills and academic
performance of students. Also there is a significant influence of online study hours and
academic performance of students of National Open University students of Nigeria,
Yenogoa Study center. Based on the findings, some recommendations were made,
which included that, the institution management should encourage the students on
acquiring some computer skills to carry out all academic activities online.
Keywords: E-learning, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Students’
academic performance
Introduction
Trends are beginning to transform lately in the pursuit of education as a social
service all over the world, even in developing countries. Education comprises mainly of
pre-primary, primary, secondary (including vocational-technical) and tertiary
educational level in the nation. It also embraces the adult and non-formal education
which includes amongst others, the open and distance learning education. Education is a
key factor for sustainable development (Chimombo, 2005). The significance of
education, especially in developing countries, is increasing because of progressing
pressure to catch up with the developed world for global competitiveness (Hawkins,
2002). Predictably, educational settings are different in developing countries than in
advanced countries. The dynamics of social change and the demand on education had
always been the reason for the various editions of the National Policy on Nigerian
Education (NPE). The policy was necessitated by some policy innovations and
changers, one of which was the introduction of electronic learning (e-learning) into the
correspondence and National Open University of Nigeria education system (Akube,
2011).
E-learning denotes the use of electronic technologies to access educational
material outside the conventional system of face to face learning. This learning is always
delivered via internet. Schmidt (2005) holds that, e-learning consists of conventional
training, such as courses, ad-hoc training, selected learning objects, formalization
through document collections and community formation which can be achieved via
social software. The growth of e-learning programmes according to Lockwood and