The impact of integrating ICT into students support services in distance education, the case of the B.ED programme of the University of Nairobi

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of integrating lCT into student support services in Distance Education specifically the Bachelor of Education (Arts) offered at the University of Nairobi. The study aimed at exploring the impact ICT devices can bring to the University in terms of quality of service, cost reduction strategies and increase in students access to education according to vision 2030 of expanding access to university education from 4.6% to 20% with an emphasis on science and technology courses, and to explore the level of preparedness of the University of Nairobi in terms of ICT facilities and personnel.

The study is based on the theoretical framework particularly the development of higher mental processes that requires a cooperative interaction between a student and more learned other, where the latter may be tutor or an intelligent computer system in line with cognitive constructionists. Survey design was used since the study took place over time. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze the questionnaire and interview research instruments.

The results of this study have shown that lCT has all the benefits when properly integrated in the education system. The benefits include cutting down costs in University operations, ensuring a good security system in areas where work is based on sensitive issues like examinations and financial matters amongst others. The results also indicate that the process of integrating lCT is costly and a heavy investment hence needs good planning and management before all the systems operate fully.