E-Learning Technology in Distance Education: Identifying Learner Preferences of Knowledge Sharing Tools and Educational Strategy

Electronic learning (e-learning) is a term used to describe any form of education where knowledge sharing is primarily by means of electronic media and communication based technologies. This is one of the methods adopted by distance learning institutions. In Nigeria, many universities are now offering programs by distance learning where the learners in geographically dispersed locations and study at their own pace. The adoption of this form of education by higher institutions in Nigeria is on the increase. There are many tools, media and channels of communication available to these institutions of higher learning. The basic media include e-books, audio, video, computers, and mobile phones. Studies concluded that cultural background and learning styles may influence the effectiveness of the learning tools which could in turn lead to distortion of student learning. It is important that the most suitable of these channels as perceived by the learners themselves be understood. This would enable the institutions to understand the learning styles and expectations of the learners so as to provide the necessary support by focusing on the ones that encourage learning as perceived by the learner. The objective of this study is to understand the learner preferences of e-learning tools used by distance learning institutions in Nigeria. The study used as case study an open and distance learning university that employs e-learning technology as its major means of disseminating information. The study applied questionnaire to collect data from 245 students from two study centers of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The study found a total of two hundred survey responses to be usable. The study analysis provided results of questions in three categories: Learner-instructor-interaction preferences; Learner-learner-interaction preferences; and Learner ability to learn independently. Results of the study indicated that the most preferred tool for knowledge sharing was significantly different for males and females ( at , which indicates that for the different sexes different approaches or education strategies for distance learning using technology might be better suited based on preferential bias. Results of the study may be useful as decision tools for evaluating and understanding the various teaching/learning tools and communication strategies so as to focus on the ones that encourage learning in our environment. The study recommended that institutions should attempt to use the knowledge transfer method perceived by the learner to be more beneficial to them as they establish the learning method that best suit them. Keywords: learning media, electronic learning, e-learning, distance learning, ICT, educational strategies, knowledge sharin