Effects Of E-learning On English Language Lecturers’ Job Performance In Selected Tertiary Institution In Lagos State

1.1 Background of the study

E-learning is the act of taking a course online using a modem, wireless, or cable connection to access academic course materials from a computer, phone or other devices (Avanda, 2017). Adeniran, (2018)  defined E-learning as education that uses computerized communication systems as an environment for communication, the exchange of information and interaction between student and instructors. E-learning centers on the intersection of education, teaching, and learning with ICT (Okoli, 2019). It clearly proceeded by two other disciplines: educational technology and distance education. These two disciplines have uniquely contributed to the intensive use of ICT for educational purposes.

E-learning is also a natural evolution of distance learning, which has taken advantage of the latest tools to emerge in the context of technologies for structuring education. University education in Nigeria today is the responsibility of entrepreneurs, agencies or groups such as religious bodies, communities, universities and corporate bodies. Decree No. 9 of 1993 prescribes minimum conditions to allow the establishment of universities under certain guidelines determined by the government. The supervision of these schools is secured by the federal and state ministries of education (Awonor, 2018).

In the Nigerian University system, which includes private and public tertiary institutions, course unit system is presently being practiced. In recognition of the need to encourage private participation in the provision of university education, the Federal Government established a law 1992, allowing private sectors to establish universities following guidelines prescribed by the Government. Under the course unit system, students are required to take specific number of units of courses per week or per semester. There is flexibility of choosing a preferred elective course under this course unity system and compulsory courses in their various disciplines. The course unit system is particularly interesting in the sense that students have the flexibility of choosing a course of their choice for a particular semester. The courses are designed in a stepwise manner so as to allow graduation from lower level to higher level. The science related courses are designed to allow for laboratory works. Consequently all departments are assumed to consist of academic professionals in deferent areas of interest. Each university in Nigeria is autonomous in areas of teaching and research. Research articles, field notes, lecture material, monographs, tutorial and other training materials are deposited in their repositories (Azih & Nwosu, 2016). 

This study is informed by the deplorable state of educational system in Nigeria due to the inadequate teaching learning facilities and infrastructures. Most libraries in Nigerian higher institutions and secondary schools have audio-visual learning materials that are rarely utilized as a result of incessant power outages and sometimes lack of awareness on the part of the students. Hence, traditionally the main learning approach focuses on teachers rather than the students. A teacher determines what to teach, how to teach and thus, less concern about the students that is are at the receiving end. There are various learning approaches being put in place to compensate for the problems occasioned by this traditional learning paradigm. For example online instruction has the potential to provide opportunities for reflective and integrating learning outcomes. This approach provides the students adaptive personalized e-learning because it is a general term used to refer to computer-enhanced learning. It may involves the use of mobile technologies such as personal digital assistants and MP3/MP4 player and includes the use of web-based teaching materials and hypermedia in general, as rooms or web-sites, discussion boards, collaborative software, e-mail, blogs, wikis, text chart, computer aided assistant, educational animation, simulation, games, learning management software et cetera. Therefore, the survival of students in institutions in the 21st century will increasingly rely on various forms of electronic delivery system and communication facilities that are available in markets as requirements for educational flexibility.

1.2 Statement of the problem

This study is informed by the deplorable state of educational system in Nigeria due to the inadequate teaching learning facilities and infrastructures. However, tertiary education suffers a lot of setbacks due to the primitive nature of teaching system used by the lecturers in transferring knowledge to their students. Students don’t have access to global information hence lacks a huge knowledge of what is obtainable in the society. On the other hand, the library in most of the tertiary institutions in Nigeria is not equipped with good internet facilities and this may affect English Language lecturer’s job performance in teaching effectively. On the contrary, most libraries in Nigerian higher institutions have audio-visual learning materials that are rarely utilized as a result of incessant power outages and sometimes low competency on the part of the lecturers. It is against the backdrop that this study intends to examine the effect of e- learning on English Language lecturer’s job performance in University of Lagos.

1.3 Objectives of the study 

The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of e- learning on English Language lecturer’s job performance in the University of Lagos with the following specific objectives of the study:

1. To examine how e-learning improve English Language lecturer’s job performance

2. To examine how English Language lecturers transfer knowledge and skills through e-learning.

3. To examine how e-learning affect job performance of English Language lectures in the University of Lagos

1.4 Research questions

1. How can e-learning improve English Language lecturer’s job performance?

2. Can English Language lecturers transfer knowledge and skills through e-learning?

3. How can e-learning affect job performance of English Language lectures in the University of Lagos?

1.5 Significance of the study

This study will be highly important to the government at all level, the lecturers, educational planners, decision and policy makers as well as other stakeholders in education. It will help in producing a healthy, literate self-reliant citizen that would create wealth for human development. Through this study, lectures will be able to know the effect of e-learning on their job performance.

1.6 Scope of the study

This study centers on effect of e-learning on English Language lecturer’s job performance in the University of Lagos. This study will in addition be delimited to the use of questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. This study will also be delimited to a descriptive cross sectional study design using quantitative method of data collection. Furthermore, this study will be delimited to descriptive statistics with results presented in frequencies, percentage and tables. 

1.7 Limitations of study

1. Financial constraint- Insufficient fund may tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

2. Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 Definition of terms

E-learning: learning conducted via electronic media, typically on the Internet.

Education: the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.

Job performance: is assessing whether lecturers performs their job well.