Factors influencing the use of ICT by distance learners: the case of Master in Distance Education University of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Distance Education students are far placed from their tutors during their learning process. Therefore the Information communication and technologies are indispensable to be able to have smooth running in their learning process. The research project therefore looks in to the factors influencing the use of K'Ts by the master in distance education students in the University of Nairobi during their learning process. It also looks in to how they access these leT and how they afford it since they are busy students and members of various institutions which need to be financially attended to. The document also looks at the skills that the MDE students need and how they influence them to use JC]' in their learning process.

The study also verifies how infrastructure influences their learning process from where they are and if the leT equipment are available for them during their learning process. Survey method has been used to collect data where the questionnaire has been the main data collection instrument. Simple random sampling method was used. The study focused on the 74 MDE students University of Nairobi of intake April 2008 to April 2011. The findings revealed that both learners and lecturers in the department embrace leT. While 70% agreed that they use email to obtain feedback from their lecturers, 35% receive their assignments through emails. A proportion of 27% reported that the feedback was timely.

Besides wishing for assignments to be promptly returned with helpful feedback, another important form of support that students like to receive is a selection of supplementary reference materials. Only 14% of the students reported that they had reasonable access to such materials during their study. Lecturers on the other hand reported that the university has not provided the department of distance learning with adequate leT personnel and this has hindered the delivery of feedback as well as the distribution of course materials to the learners. I do therefore recommend that the University is obliged to provide adequate leT personnel to support the students effectively. The department will also ensure that the students admitted are familiar with leT to avoid a lot of inconveniences. This will help the students to receive feedback timely and also get supplementary materials through the internet and others send by their lecturers.