THE NEED FOR AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN TEACHING AND LEARNING (E-LEARNING)

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION  
1.1     BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Communication is a knowledge-conveying process between a source and a receiver who understands the message correctly (İşcan, 2013, p. 3). The etymological origin of “communication” dates back to Latin, and the words “communıs” and  “communicare” (Gürüz & Eğinli, 2008, p. 5). Communication affects people’s thoughts and attitudes as well as leading to the sharing of knowledge, sensations, and thoughts. In other words, communication is a system of relationships to convey knowledge between people (Gürüz & Eğinli, 2008, p. 5). Communication helps to build relationships and facilitates achievement of goals. Thus the need for effective communication strategies for the improvement of schools cannot be overemphasized. Effective communication is the sharing of ideas, facts, thought and feelings for easy coexistence. It is a two way process which involves the sender and the receiver, it is concerned with transmitting and receiving information which is the key to all aspects of organizational life, whether it is a school, a manufacturing firm or a service firm. (Bridge, 2003) E-learning on the other hand, has been a useful tool for an effective communication system in teaching and learning (Jung, 2002). E-Learning is the employment of technology to aid and enhance learning. It can be as simple as students watching a video documentary in class or as complex as an entire university course provided online. E-Learning began decades ago with the introduction of televisions and over-head projectors in classrooms and has advanced to include interactive computer programmes, 3D simulations, video and telephone conferencing and real-time online discussion groups comprised of students from all over the world. As technology advances, so does e-learning, and it is making the possibilities accruable from it endless (Olaniyi, 2006). Education is regarded as one of the most important factors for poverty reduction and economic growth in developing countries but effective communication system is needed for teaching and learning to ensure quality education. The use of effective Communication System for dissemination of education is considered to have great potential for any country seeking to satisfy a growing demand for education while facing a deficiency of teachers (Rich, 2008). Today, the development of the communication system into a worldwide, high-speed, multimedia communication platform (internet) has enabled the development of e-Learning as an effective teaching and learning mechanism. E-Learning started to have an important role in creating and promoting learning communities due to the new and effective communication tools that provides more accessibility and efficiency in the learning process, for both teachers and learners. E-Learning includes numerous types of media that deliver text, audio, images, animation, and streaming video, and includes technology applications and processes such as audio or video tape, satellite TV, CD-ROM, and computer-based learning, as well as local intranet/extranet and web-based learning (Suleiman, 2012). All these devices are tools that enhance effective communication in schools. Effective communication systems, whether free-standing or based on either local networks or the Internet in networked learning, underlay many e-Learning processes. The researcher is thereby examining the need for the devices to promote effective communication system in teaching and learning in Emmanuel College, Owerri.
1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
When the notion of communication is discussed in terms of education, two dimensions can be seen clearly. One is administration, and the other involves teaching and learning. Educational institutions determine social behaviours, cultures, organizational structures, and interpersonal relationships. Learning democratic behaviour, the power of independent and scientific thinking, and critical, creative, and productive thinking skills are all shaped by educational institutions. Effective communication in teaching and learning has been a great concern to school administrators, because a break in communication brings about a great havoc in the school system by way of administration and in the learning environment. Most times messages are not decoded properly such that the intended meaning is not interpreted correctly. Students are continually being thought using out dated form of teaching and learning. Teachers do not put in their best into effective teaching as a result of lack of proper e-learning communication tools and inadequate training for teachers to use the tools when available. As a result, the statement of problem put in question form therefore, is how important is effective communication system in teaching and learning in Emmanuel College, Owerri?
1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The following are the objectives of this study:
1.     To identify available e-learning tools in the study area.
2.     To determine the level of use of e- learning in Emmanuel college, Owerri.
3.     To examine the impact of e-learning on effective teaching and learning at Emmanuel college, Owerri.
4.     To examine the factors limiting the students access to e- learning tools in Emmanuel college, Owerri.
1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.     What are the e learning tools in the study area?
2.     What is the level of use of e- learning in Emmanuel College Owerri?
3.     What is the impact of e- learning on effective teaching and learning at Emmanuel College, Owerri?
4.     What are the factors limiting the students access to e- learning tools in Emmanuel College, Owerri?
1.5     HYPOTHESIS
HO: There is no significant impact of e-learning on effective teaching and learning.
HA: There is a significant impact of e-learning on effective teaching and learning.
1.6     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The following are the significance of this study:
1.     The results from this study will be useful to the government of Nigeria and policy makers in education on the need for an effective communication system for teaching and learning in secondary schools in the country especially the rural areas. It will also educate the need for massive investments in provision of e-learning tools like computers, TV, internet access, etc for secondary school students to aid effective teaching and learning.
2.     This research will be a contribution to the body of literature in the area of the need for an effective communication system in teaching and learning and e-learning, thereby constituting the empirical literature for future research in the subject area.
1.7     SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This study is limited to Emmanuel College, Owerri. It will cover the school’s needs for communication information system and the consequences they suffer for not having such gadgets. It will also cover the school’s level of application of e-learning.
LIMITATIONS OF STUDY
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends 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).  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.

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