The Contributions of ICT in Ensuring Access and Equity in the Production of Teachers in Nigeria Using Open and Distance Education

Abstract

In Nigeria, open and distance education (ODE) is known to have offered access to many teachers who would have previously been denied educational opportunities based on where they live and work, poor economic conditions, social status, etc.. To this end, this paper examined the contributions of information and communications technology (ICT) in ensuring access and equity in the production of such teachers in Nigeria using ODE. This examination was based on existing data and evidence. The findings showed that most of the ODE institutions, like the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the National Teachers' Institute (NTI), operate the study centre system furnished with some ICT facilities, like computers, multi-media players, liquid crystal display (LCD) projectors, televisions, and printers, and do their registration and distribute course materials online.Notwithstanding, they still use the face-to-face mode of teaching and print technology. Some of the problems facing the use of ICTs in ODE institutions in Nigeria were discovered to include lack of knowledge and skills by some facilitators in designing and developing courses in electronic format, poverty and poor ICT penetration, poor Internet connectivity especially in rural areas, lack of computer education background by student teachers, electricity failure, low teledensity, and lack of universal access to ICTs. Consequently, it was recommended that education leaders and teacher educators should ensure that teachers who are products of ODE can competently use ICT as an enabler to optimize learning opportunities by developing teacher education programmes that use ICT-blended pedagogy to improve teaching and learning, especially in the area of curriculum delivery and assessment. In-service and pre-service courses in integrating ICTs in teaching and learning were recommended for student teachers, teachers, course facilitators, and education leaders.