Overcoming Barriers To New Learning Technologies In A University Setting: The Case Of Covenant University

Abstract

Covenant University aspires to be one of the ten leading university in the world by 2022. To achieve

this noble goal, the university has set in motion various strategies, some of which are to improve the

learning process of students, empowerment of faculty and staff in gaining skills in teaching

methodologies and the use of e-learning/new technologies. The university has currently invested a lot

of funds in the acquisition of relevant and contemporary e-learning technologies, such as

teleconferencing centres (five in all), e-learning lecture and delivery and assessment platforms (e.g.

Moodle, TurnitinTM, et cetera), Smart interactive digital boards, fully digitized podiums etc. In a bid to

maximize these investments, the need for identifying and addressing teachers’ phobia and

demonstrated barriers to the new technologies and aids becomes imperative. The barriers to the use

of appropriate teaching methodologies and the use of new technologies relevant to teaching were

identified. The paper focused mainly on barriers related to lack of awareness of effective teaching

methodologies, non-availability of appropriate e-learning/new technologies and psychological barriers

to effective use of new technologies acquired by the institution. The paper also highlights efforts made

by the institution in acquiring new technologies applied to education, sensitisation of faculty and staff

to the effects of teaching pedagogies in the educative process and the personality factors in the utilisation of new technologies.