Parallel Session
Tutors’ Perceptions of Digital Teaching and Learning of English Language during COVID-19 in Oyo State, Nigeria
Dr M Gbadegesin
English and Literary Studies Department
Lead City University
Dr Michael Olayinka Gbadegesin is a young Nigerian scholar in the field of linguistics. He attended Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state Nigeria where he obtained M. A. and Ph.D degrees in English Language. His research interests are Applied Phonetics and Phonology, Applied Linguistics, Sociolinguistics and digital language learning. He is an experience teacher of English who has taught at various levels of education in Nigeria beginning from primary, secondary to tertiary levels. He currently works in the department of English and Literary Studies, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. His schedule of duty includes lecturing and project supervision at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Dr M. O. Gbadegesin has some publications to his credit. These include two books, three-chapter contributions and eight articles in local and international journals. He has attended various conferences. Examples include Ife Summer Institute of Advanced Studies –July 20 –August 1, 2020; Humboldt Conference 2020, University of Ibadan -14/02/2020; RAGA International Interdisciplinary Conference -8-11/10/2019; English Scholars Association Conference Nnsuka 2018 - 18th-21st September 2018; English Scholars Association Conference 2016 – OAU Ile-Ife, 5th-8th September 2016.
He has served as external examiner of an M. Ed. thesis proposal, School of Education Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a member of professional bodies like the English Scholars Association of Nigeria (ESAN ) and Association of Phoneticians and Phonologists in Nigeria (APPN). He is an educational consultant on language teaching and learning as well as organizing in-service training for the teachers. He is a fellow of Ife Institute of Advanced Studies and fellow of Institute of Policy and Development.
Abstract
Digital learning is a kind of learning facilitated through technology and allows both the lecturers and students to have control over learning time, place and pace. The study investigated the tutors’ preference for digital learning; examined the tutors’ perception of the quality of online classes; and investigated the tutors’ perception of the challenges of online classes with a view to finding a lasting solution to it and enhancing the quality of digital learning. The research instrument is a self-designed questionnaire that was used to elicit responses on the preferred media, quality and challenges of digital learning and eighty lecturers were randomly selected from eight different higher institutions of learning in Oyo state to answer the questionnaire. The results showed that the most preferred digital learning media is an eclectic one – the combination of Internet–based live lecture using one-way video and two-way audio (zoom, Google meet, Skype, etc) for teaching and WhatsApp or Telegram for e-notes. Generally, the tutors were not satisfied with the quality of digital teaching and learning of English language as a result of its various challenges. The challenges identified include socioeconomic status of the parent, internet fluctuation, poor power supply, effective evaluation and class control. The study concludes that, since digital learning has become new normal, all stakeholders should deal decisively with the various challenges bedeviling the online teaching and learning of English language in Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommends that the lecturers should consider the learners’ preference in their choice of online class media.
Key Words: Online Class, Perception, Online Media, Quality, Challenges
GBADEGSIN M O.pdf