1st August, 2014
Motunrayo Idris
One of the foremost universities in Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, has launched its e-learning programme.
The event which was organised by Ventures garden group at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, was put together to enable every class of the society that needs education, including ‘freshers’ to have it with a UTME score of 180 without rigorous exercise in gaining admission into the university.
The OAU distance learning model involves the applications of Multimedia Technology that supports electronic instructional delivery mode (e-Learning), as well as independent learning.
This involves the automation of most of the learning processes including the application, shortlisting, payment and lecture delivery using world class Student Information Systems (SIS).
In the OAU CDL Model, distant students will actually learn from the same lecturers who teach on-campus as they deliver lectures and course materials online or pre-recorded, thus ensuring parity of curriculum contents and academic standards both on-campus and off-campus.
The total time to complete an online course will be equivalent to that of an on-campus programme and the same degree will be earned as the ones on-campus.
The Director of the Centre for Distance Learning of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Olabide Asubiojo comprehensively explained the reason why the e-learning programme was set up and how effective it has been including the programme that has been running since its establishment.
He said six universities were approved by the federal government to conduct distance learning and fortunately, University of Ife was one.
“Many things were considered for the programme, especially space and time and infrastructure,” Prof. Asubiojo said.
“Only 20 out of 100% gain admission to schools every year including private and federal or government owned universities.
“Students’ hopes are usually dashed at the end of the day. It is not that the majority of them do not have the qualification, but there is limited space and infrastructure to admit them into the university,” he added.
Olabisi noted that the youths have insatiable appetite for learning and in response to this, they came up with the idea of e-learning which will enable them get their desired choice of course at their time and convenience through the use of a customised tablet that has been provided for each student that applies for any course in the university.
He added that this programme will provide opportunity and freedom of absence because technology has made it easy for them.
It will as well help both the students and the school achieve their goal because lectures will be duplicated with the same materials and lecturers.
“The tablet hem in the ‘Tablet’ is designed such that it can automatically connect to the CDL e-learning portal to download lectures and update student status based on level of classes attended, forums and assignments.
“Connectivity will not be an issue for the students as the Tablet comes with its own network for which the subscription is renewed with every session’s registration.
“The Tablet will help to overcome the twin problems of internet access and power supply. The Tablet battery has a nine-hour capacity thus minimizing the problem of power outage,” he further explained.
The platform will also provide students the opportunity to interact with other students and lecturers by grouping them. But in terms of the practical aspect and exams, all students will be present on the school main campus.
However, there will be provisions for centres in designated places for students without travelling down to the school’s main campus.
Professor Idowu Bamitale Omole, the Vice Chancellor of OAU, said the university is the only institution that has been approved to run e-learning programme by the NUC.
” Our institution has left the dinosaur behind to embrace the future. The institution has consistently been the best university in Nigeria for the last four years and these are part of the things that make us significant and maintain our position.
“The university is built on a landmark of 11,700 acres and we have the most beautiful campus in Africa.
“We have decided to break all barriers in the education system in the country and put an end to students being bruised as a result of not getting into the university when they want,” he said.
The e-learning programme will be taking-off with the Bachelors degree programmes in Accounting, Nursing, Education, and Economics.
Executive Masters programmes in Public Health, Information Technology, Environmental Control and Management and others are in the pipeline.