Information And Communication Technology Resource Availability and Distance Education in Selected Universities In Somaliland

ABSTRACT The research intended to investigate ICT resource availability and distance education in selected universities in Somaliland. It also intended to achieve objectives such as, (1) to identify the demographic characteristics of the respondents in terms of gender, age, qualifications under the ICT discipline and number of the years in distance education field, (2) to determine the level of ICT resource availability in selected universities in Somaliland (3) to determine the extent of distance education selected universities in Somaliland (4) to establish whether there was a significant relationship between ICT resource availability and the extent of distance education. This study employed the descriptive survey design specifically the descriptive comparative and descriptive correlational strategies. Based on the findings of this study, the research has clearly shown that most of the respondents had access and used the Information Communication Technology resource in distance education and there was the significant relationship between ICT resource availability and effectiveness of distance education. In conclusion, both universities did not utilize the most appropriate tools, technology and media in delivery of distance learning programs currently, and the online systems were missing, and video conference systems were not available in these universities. Also, there was evidence that distance learners were well prepared to engage in self-directed learning which was very crucial in learning process remotely, so this research validated that the Transactional Theory of Moore was the most appropriate for distance education research theory, which refers to the theory on distance education that occurs between teachers and learners in an environment having the special characteristic of separation of teachers from learners where learners are self-directed. The study recommended that policy makers, practitioners and Somaliland higher institutions should continue developing and implementing distance education programs when those programs meet identified ICT resource needs and when they were designed and managed as carefully as traditional education programs.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 7

Purpose of the Study 8

Research Objectives 9

Research Questions 10

Hypotheses 10

Scope 11

Significance of the Study 12

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 13

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Concepts, Ideas, Opinions from Authors/Experts 14

Theoretical Perspectives 22

Related Studies 24

Three METHODOLOGY

Research Design 37

Target Population 37

Sample Size 38

Sampling Procedure 39

Research Instruments 39

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 40

Data Gathering Procedures 41

Data Analysis 42

Ethical Considerations 43

V

Limitations of the Study 44

Four PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF

DATA

Demographic information of the respondents 46

Description of the independent variable 50

Description of the dependent variable 57

Five FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Introduction 67

Summary of findings 67

Conclusions 72

Recommendations 73

References 76

Appendices

Appendix IA- Transmittal Letter 90

Appendix IB- Transmittal letter for the respondents 91

Appendix II - Clearance from Ethics Committee 92

Appendix III- Informed consent 94

Appendix IVA-Face sheet 95

Appendix VI B- Questionnaires ICT resource availability and

Effectiveness of distance education 97

Appendix IVC- Questionnaire on the effectiveness of distance

education 100