DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ENABLING VIRTUAL CLASSROOM AND TEXT-BASED E-LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR NIGERIAN POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION SYSTEM

ABSTRACT
The research project reported in this thesis has shown that there is need for an enabling virtual classroom and text-based E-learning environment in Nigerian Polytechnic Education System. Having identified the problems inherent in Nigerian Polytechnic Education System, A virtual classroom was designed that accommodated a blend of synchronous and Asynchronous methods of learning. Web accessibility initiative was incorporated in the design to take care of learners with some sort of disabilities. Also included, was a virtual library facility for referencing.
The designed virtual classroom was used in practice to assist learners in undertaking courses in Computer Science, Banking and Finance, Business Administration and Management, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Secretarial Studies and Mass Communication at National Diploma or Higher National Diploma levels using NBTE (National Board for Technical Education) minimum guide curriculum. HTML, DHTML, XML and Visual Basic (VB) authoring languages were used to produce the course wares. The authoring system was developed in a way that will enable lecturers who are not computer professionals to produce course wares without any serious computer programming skill. Visual Basic Programming Language was used to create the database used in this work.
The text-based facility was used to establish communication between the lecturer and the students and among themselves and even with authorities of the school.
Collaborative and didactic learning were supported by the newly designed system.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE

1. 1. INTRODUCTION

The use of computer in Education was nursed when the first business computer was completed in 1951. Educationalists dreamt of connecting College classrooms to computers which would serve as patient tutors, scrupulous examiners and tireless schedulers of instructions. Further, it was expected that the benefits to students would include the freedom to follow their own paths of learning, at their own pace at a time convenient to them, with richer materials to work with and automatic measurement of their progress.
The dream was actualized with the introduction of E-learning and its attendant virtual reality.
E-learning can be accomplished through any of the following:- web-based learning, virtual classroom, Distance learning etc.
E-learning involves the use of virtual reality in establishing a virtual classroom, virtual library and E-learning ware (or kernel or courseware) for actualizing collaborative and didactic learning.
The virtual classroom and text-based E-learning environment is internet-based. Its components include content delivery in multiple formats, management of the learning experience, and a networked community of learners, content developers and experts.
The design of a virtual classroom and text-based environment aims at providing flexible learning and develop appropriate framework for sharing good learning materials among polytechnics, self-learners and interested companies in different parts of the world.
It supports individualized higher education for young learners and supports life long learning for adults.
The actualization of an enabling E-learning environment involves the development of web-site through which access can be made to virtual library and courseware facilities and information about prospective E-learners.
The E-learning environment is text-based because E-mail facility is used to establish communication between the instructor and the E-learners. Other text based features like Addressing, Ellipses and signs were incorporated.
The design of E-learning environment accommodates a mix of synchronous and asynchronous methods of learning considering the fact that Nigeria has not fully embraced the digital revolution and also the poor funding nature of our polytechnic education system.
The designed system is user-friendly, interactive and has a feedback mechanism to ensure control and quality learning.

1. 1. BACKGROUND HISTORY OF IMT

Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) is one of the polytechnics in Nigeria and situated in Enugu State.
It is under the supervision and accreditation of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
NBTE is a supervisory and accrediting body for all polytechnics, monotechnics and Technical Colleges in Nigeria. It is charged among other things with the following responsibilities;

1. Approved programmes for polytechnics, monotechnics and Technical Colleges that meet the standard stipulated in the national policy on education.
2. It provides curriculum and course specifications for the various programmes.
3. Ensure quality education and adherence to laid down policies and curriculum through periodic accreditation visitations.
4. Ensure proper funding of polytechnics, monotechnics and College of Technologies especially those owned and sponsored by the Federal government.
5. Ensure the use of qualified academic staff.
6. Ensure constant improvement in academic staff skills through staff development schemes, workshops and seminars.

Institute of management and Technology (IMT) Enugu came into existence in 1973 as a result of the merger of Institute of Management and college of Technology, all situated at in Enugu the capital of the then Eastern region. It has 29 departments and runs program in engineering, science and technology, Education, communication Art, financial studies and business studies.
It awards National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND) and Nigeria Certificate in Education.
It runs full time and part time programmes. Full time program starts at 8 am and stops by 4 pm Monday to Friday while part time starts by 4 pm and stops by 8 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday.
The duration of full time programme is 5 year including one year industrial training while the part time has duration of six years including one year of industrial training. Both part time and full time programmes are run in semesters.
Examination is centrally conducted on the various courses at the end of each semester.
Information Access:

1. Internal memorandum – It is used as a means of communication within the school. Then channel of communication is prime importance.
2. Students’ information Book – It contains information on admission requirements, registration requirement and processes, school rules and regulations, grading format, departments and courses offered.

Method of learning
Face – to – face approach is adopted as method of spreading and acquiring knowledge except for the school of distance learning which uses a mix of face-to-face and radio broadcast methods.