Major challenges in the implementation of E-learning – 2 of 4

Here are some of the major challenges facing the implementation of E-learning in Nigerian Institutions.

1. Limited awareness of technology and its implementation in Education.

One might be surprised that there is still ignorance abound regarding Education Technology within lauded Institutions. There is no doubt E-learning is everywhere especially with Mobile accessibility these days, Mooc Platforms and Khan Academy to name just a few. The fact is, having one implemented successfully and continuous managed within an Institution could be seen as far-fetched due to various connected reasons.

2. Fear and resistance to change.

This is a major reason why Institutions are not subscribing en-mass to E-learning, which is connected to the limited knowledge of what E-learning can actually do and what benefits are involved. Because the classroom style is so time-tested, any other mode of teaching and learning are viewed with suspicions and people fear the change it will bring and how they are to adapt to this change, if they will lose their job as a result or their work-load will be multiplied by the introduction of E-learning or their weaknesses will be exposed to unwanted consequences.

3. Cost of implementation.

The main reason why E-learning is not a priority in most of the Institutions not yet onboard is simply the cost involved. With limited funding available to Institutions, a big budget to cover and the thought that their current mode of Education in the Institution is perfect and time-tested. The thought of introducing something new without guaranteed outcome that will also eat into their budget does not hold water. Hence, one would conclude that Institutions choose to stay off E-learning for now, due to the cost involved and limited available funding.

4. Commitment to use, maintenance and improvement.

The outcome of implementing E-learning within an Institution is largely dependent on the commitment to continuous use, maintenance and improvement on an on-going basis. It is unfortunate to say that there is a very low culture of maintenance within the Country as a whole and the Education Institutions are not immune to this. Also, people are most likely to balk at first sight of challenge using the new technology as I observed first hand with electronic whiteboard at the State University. Most of the main teaching halls were equipped with electronic whiteboard but none in use at all.

5. Lack of adequate electricity power supply upon which the implementation and use of any technology will depend.

The issue of hesitation to implement or use E-learning and abandonment could also be attributed to lack of viable electric power in the Country as a whole. Electricity, when available for few hours in a day is being rationed and mostly the rationing is not consistent. Alternative sources of electricity are quite expensive and this also add to the reason of cost. Without a long-term viable provision of source of functional electricity, we cannot have viable E-learning in use in any of our Institutions. This is an over-whelming challenge that needs to be overcome first and foremost.

6. Inadequate and high cost of high-speed Internet access that opens the gateway to accessible technology and learning.

Despite the fact that Internet access has become something of a necessity of life just like the electricity, the Country is still battling with slow and inconsistent Internet access provisions across all providers in the Country. Additionally, the high cost of Internet data makes it too expensive to have a viable E-learning platform in any Education Institution that seriously want to go the E-learning way full-on. The frustration of waiting endlessly for a page to load is enough to put one off E-learning permanently.