Abstract—Open and Distance Education (ODE) has proven
to be a viable alternative for teaching and learning with more
inherent benefits compared to the traditional model of
education. This mode of teaching and learning aimed at
eradicating the challenges of the face-to-face mode of learning
such as distance, age, work schedules, limited access and other
factors that have made the face-to-face mode of learning rigid.
ODE flexibility is evidenced in the ability of learners to learn
ubiquitously at their own pace, anywhere, anytime using
smartphones, laptops and desktop computers. As ODE grows
and expands, the need to review its conceptual foundations,
approaches and also to receive feedback from learners,
employers and other stakeholders are becoming more
imperative. This study employed an investigative approach via
the use of online survey forms to elicit pertinent information
regarding the learners’ perceptions and experiences at Ladoke
Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Open and
Distance Learning Centre (LODLC). A total number of 2362
LODLC students participated in the online survey out of a total
learners’ population of about 5,000. 54% of the respondents
confirmed the adequacy of the LMS and the course material
modules with more than 60% being able to easily access and
download course materials from the LMS, 57% of the
respondents rated the e-tutors to be effective knowledge
facilitators while 60% believed the e-tutors stimulated learners’
interest by providing satisfactory answers to questions asked.
This information amongst others will help administrators and
management of LODLC programmes to make informed
decisions about the conduct of the centres’ activities and adjust
accordingly where necessary to improve service delivery.
Index Terms—Education, learning management system,
LODLC, open learning, distance learning, LAUTECH.
A. T. Akindele is with Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
(LAUTECH), Open and Distance Learning Centre, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
(e-mail: atakindele@lautech.edu.ng).
N. O. Akande is with Landmark University, Omuaran, Kwara State,
Nigeria (e-mail: akande.oluwatobi@gmail.com).
M. O. Fajobi, H. B. Olagoke, and O. A. Ajagbe are with LAUTECH,
Open and Distance Learning Centre, Ogbomoso, Nigeria (e-mail:
mofajobi@lautech.edu.ng, hbolagoke@lautech.edu.ng,
oaajagbe23@lautech.edu.ng).
T. A. Badmus is with Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
(e-mail: taofeeq.badmus@fuoye.edu.ng).
Cite: A. T. Akindele, N. O. Akande, M. O. Fajobi, H. B. Olagoke, O. A. Ajagbe, and T. A. Badmus, "Assessing Learners’ Perceptions and Experiences in Distance Education — A Case Study of LAUTECH Open and Distance Learning Centre (LODLC)," International Journal of Information and Education Technology vol. 11, no. 10, pp. 479-485, 2021.
Copyright © 2021 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).