E-learning in Nigerian Institutions – 1 of 4

There is no doubt that E-learning has changed the process of teaching and learning within our Education system over the years, even if it is in a small way. Some Institutions have adopted E-learning as part of their education offerings while some are looking into how they can adopt E-learning. Majority of the Education Institutions adopting E-learning are using it as an additional offering not a replacement. Hence, in most Education Institutions, it will be agreed that the mode of E-learning in operation is blended-learning, which is a classroom based education system enhanced with online learning that brings about dynamic and a more engaging teaching and learning process, which is in-line with what is operational in other countries world-wide.

I have had the opportunity to work in two different Universities and a glimpse into a third. The first University was a State University, where I introduced E-learning as a voluntary project by proposing and implement E-learning platform as part of my service. Before then, the University seems not to have thought about E-learning as part of their offerings. Meanwhile, most of the neighbouring Universities were already using E-learning for years. It was a welcome idea applauded by all the Principal Officers of the University including the VC, DVC, Registrar and Dean of Science to name just a few.

The level of acceptance means that E-learning is highly in need in most of the Universities but the know-how of implementation is lacking. Even, when there is implementation, the know-how of appropriate use to gain the most out of the platform to positively impact and enhance the teaching and learning process is lacking. This will usually result in a case of abandonment and waste of resources which does not come cheap.

My experience working in the second University, a private University is not dissimilar, I introduced E-learning through my proposal which was welcome by the Principal Officers headed by the VC and a project of implementation commenced not long after. This project was successfully completed and handed-over after some of the staffs were trained. The next step is that of continuous support to ensure the system is in optimum performance and is being used appropriately for the positive impact expected. The most important aspect of this is collaborations between all stakeholders of the system in place and the readiness of the University to continuously invest in the improvement of the system, staff training and support alongside good management within the responsible department at the University.

The third University has E-learning in place for over a decade and one would think that E-learning should have become a mainstay at the University but the case is contrary. This brings to mind the issues that could be the reasons to this as I experienced in the Universities I worked at. First and foremost, a good policy need to be in place, stating where and why e-learning is needed, when and how it will be implemented and deployed throughout the University and what outcome is to be expected from this introduction and how the outcome is going to be measured again expectations. Without a good policy in place, not-withstanding all other challenges being overcome; the project will fail even before it runs.