Assessment on Mode of Instructional Technology and Use of Media in National Open University of Nigeria: A Historical Perspective

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has experienced significant growth and development in its use of instructional technology and media over the past two decades, yet there is a dearth of research on the trajectory of this evolution. This study therefore addresses this gap by analyzing NOUN’s use of instructional technology and media from 2003 to 2023. The study employed a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. The instruments adopted and validated for the study were official documents and structured questionnaire tagged, Questionnaire on Mode of Instructional Technology and Media (QMITM) with the reliability co-efficient (r=.89). Qualitative data were analysed thematically while quantitative data were analysed using mean ranking. The findings of the study revealed that there was a clear progression in the instructional technology and media employed by NOUN, with online study materials being the most widely adopted mode, achieving a mean score of 0.93. The study concluded that without deliberate efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance policy execution, the goals of accessibility, quality assurance, and sustainability in open and distance education will remain unattainable. The study therefore, recommended that NOUN should invest more in improving internet accessibility and the stability of its online learning platforms to accommodate all learners, regardless of location