Awareness and Use of Open Educational Resources by Library and Information Science Students of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State, Nigeria

Authors

Humphrey Igwechi Wiche Dr., Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State, NigeriaFollow
Kolawole Francis Ogunbodede Mr., University of Africa, Bayelsa State, NigeriaFollow

Date of this Version

Summer 3-29-2021

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The paper investigated awareness and use of open educational resources by Library and Information Science Students of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State, Nigeria. The researchers adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised of 248 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Three (3) research questions guided this study. Data was collected using the questionnaire. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics such as frequency count and simple percentage. The findings revealed that the students have high level awareness of the concept of open educational resources and high level of utilization of the diverse types of OER. It was also established that inadequate information literacy skills, poor electricity supply, poor internet connectivity, lack of library sensitization and lack of support from lecturers on the use of OER were some of the challenges to the effective use of OER. Based on the findings, the researchers wish to recommend that the school management should organize trainings for the students on digital literacy skills, improve electricity supply and provide adequate internet facilities so that the students can fully utilize quality OER freely available on the internet. Academic libraries and lecturers should also help in promoting the use of OER among the students.