Open and Distance Learning for Sustainable Development

Project Goals/Objectives
The primary objectives of this paper are:
∗ To showcase ICT tools as the best cost-effective means for information dissemination
across NOUN operation locations
∗ To address the associated short fall in using ICT tools in teaching and learning under the
ODL system in NOUN
Constraints
One of the major constraints experienced by a developing country like Nigeria seeking to take
advantage of current ICT infrastructural installation and deployment is the issue of power
(electricity). Unstable electricity in the country remains a worrisome issue for Nigerians (even
NOUN) to contend with (Adenikinju, 2003). Where generators are being provided as an
alternatives, the cost of fueling becomes another hurdle.
Yet another constraint is what Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, considered to be “bandwidth colonialism in
Africa”. The price of internet access is indeed outrageous even when the bandwidth is shared
among many subscribes. Videoconferencing requires a considerable amount of bandwidth (due to
video streaming) for optimum performance.
Benefits of Videoconferencing to ODL
In the developed world, the use of videoconferencing is increasingly very appealing to the
educational and scientific sectors. Many prominent universities in the developed countries have
adopted videoconferencing as an educational tool to be used in conjunction with online courses.
That is, Internet videoconferencing enhances educational experience, allowing a more immediate,
more interactive form of contact than e-mail. Business leaders around the world use
videoconferencing to keep in touch with important contacts while on the move in their various
locations. Furthermore, videoconferencing allows users to save time and money on traveling and
housing costs by bringing people face to face virtually (Anon, 2008a).
Present day applications of videoconferencing technology are just the beginning. As video and
voice capture technology, software and display technologies continue to improve, the experience
of videoconferencing will become increasingly natural and intuitive to a wider range of users.
Eventually, videoconferencing and similar technologies will allow the creation of “virtual cities”
online spaces where people work together without the constraint of geographic proximity.
Certainly, this will decrease urban congestion and save the environment by making it possible for
skilled workers living in the suburbs to acquire high-paying jobs without commuting. Students
and staff across the nation will be able to grossly interact much more on a real time online basis.
The issue of global collaboration among students the world over that is now a current trend in
higher institutions will be greatly enhanced.
From the fore-going it is obvious that videoconferencing technology has unique advantage as it
allows geographically disparate parties to see and hear each other across campus or around the
globe usually through satellite or telephone communication systems. Although conventional
videoconferencing involves costly equipment and high user fees, developing new technology is
now bringing videoconferencing within the reach of faculty, students and practitioners. Free or
inexpensive software programmes are available that allow videoconferencing online over the
Internet, with no satellite or long-distance charges. With only this software and a small, relatively
inexpensive personal camera plugged directly into a personal computer, individuals can video
conference through their computer screen with any other similarly equipped users worldwide
(Gibson et al., 2002)
Internet videoconferencing is used to communicate with colleagues on campus and throughout the
world, to consult and to teach (Kirk and Frazer, 2005). Teachers in the developed nations have
introduced it to their students and use it in classroom, as well as between classes, to facilitate
communication. Office hours are now possible from a distance, when the teacher is traveling or
the students are in distant locations. Teachers plan to experiment with this tool in the new
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