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Open and Distance Learning for Sustainable Development

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228<br />

AN APPRAISAL OF ODL MODEL FOR PREPARING SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE<br />

TEACHERS IN NIGERIA.<br />

Abstract<br />

K A Adegoke<br />

<strong>Distance</strong> <strong>Learning</strong> Institute<br />

University of Lagos<br />

ajibadeadegoke@yahoo.com<br />

. Anthonia Maduekwe<br />

Department of Arts & Social Sciences Education<br />

Faculty of Education<br />

University of Lagos<br />

tmadux@yahoo.com<br />

Gladys Esiobu<br />

Department of Science <strong>and</strong> Technology Education<br />

Faculty of Education<br />

University of Lagos<br />

gladysesiobu@yahoo.com<br />

<strong>Open</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Distance</strong> <strong>Learning</strong> (ODL) Programme is a very important growth point in teacher education in<br />

terms of access, flexibility, lifelong learning, strong support service, learner-centered methods, quality<br />

assurance <strong>and</strong> appropriate use of variety of media. This research attempts to appraise the <strong>Open</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Distance</strong><br />

<strong>Learning</strong> models <strong>for</strong> preparing science <strong>and</strong> language teachers in institutions of higher education in Nigeria<br />

vis-à-vis the National University Commission’s minimum st<strong>and</strong>ards. Using a qualitative <strong>and</strong> quantitative<br />

approach in data sourcing, sixty facilitators <strong>and</strong> thirty students from three universities defined as Univ-A,<br />

Univ-B, <strong>and</strong> Univ-C were purposely selected <strong>for</strong> the study. Data analysis involved simple percentages <strong>and</strong><br />

frequencies. Findings revealed discrepancies in all areas of implementation in science <strong>and</strong> language teacher<br />

preparation in ODL. Though Univ-A has made some modest achievement in the areas of research<br />

awareness, increased student population <strong>and</strong> well accredited programme, Univ-B is sustained with some<br />

application of media technologies <strong>and</strong> manageable student size while Univ-C is striving to exist amidst<br />

partial accreditation. The need <strong>for</strong> a largely technology-driven <strong>and</strong> integrated ODL science <strong>and</strong> language<br />

teacher preparation programme is called into play. More importantly, the study recommended that dual<br />

mode higher institutions in Nigeria need to be repositioned, re-energised <strong>and</strong> re-sustained to face the<br />

challenges of best practices in ODL teaching <strong>and</strong> learning in the 21 st century.<br />

Keywords:<br />

<strong>Open</strong> <strong>and</strong> distance learning, Teacher preparation, Implementation, Re-positioned, Life long learning skills,<br />

Technology-driven.

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