2025/05/27 by Olufunke, Osikomaiya, Lukuman, Bello, Foluke, Fatimayin +1
#Accessibility #Awareness #Evaluation #Language Laboratory #Open and Distance Learning
paper · doi:10.60787/nodel.v2.25
This study examined the awareness and accessibility of language laboratory facilities in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions, highlighting their crucial role in enriching the language learning experience for remote learners in Nigeria. Non-experimental design of survey research type was employed. Population consists distance learners in single-mode and dual-mode institutions in Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) being a single mode and Distance Learning Institute (DLI), University of Lagos being an old dual-mode. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 102 distance learning students (89 from NOUN and 13 from DLI) used as sample for the study. Questionnaire on Awareness and Accessibility of Language Laboratory Facilities was used for data collection. The instruments demonstrated high reliability, with indices of 0.96 for awareness and 0.98 for accessibility. Data were analysed using percentages, means, standard deviations, t-tests, and ANOVA. The results revealed that only 19.6% of respondents were aware of radio/television broadcasts as facilities within language laboratories, and just 15.7% were aware of interactive whiteboards. In terms of accessibility, 18.6% of the respondents reported adequate access to radio/television broadcasts, whereas only 14.7% indicated sufficient access to interactive whiteboards. A p-value of 0.054 suggested that the differences in awareness levels across academic levels were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Overall, these findings indicate low levels of both awareness and accessibility to language laboratory facilities among distance learners. It is recommended that policymakers, educators, and administrators prioritise orientation programmes to enhance awareness and accessibility of language laboratory facilities within ODL institutions.