Learners’ readiness for xMOOCS: Inequity in Nigeria (Published)
Learners’ readiness for xMOOCs, a variant of MOOCs, mode of teaching-leaning interaction by four categories of university students in Nigeria (Conventional, National Open University of Nigerian, Open Distance learners, and Postgraduate learners) was investigated for possible inequity; using comparative ex post facto research design. Disproportional stratified random sampling was employed to draw a sample of 1200 students for the study. Data were collected with a highly valid (0.721 to 0.891) and reliable (0.832 to 0.880) instrument, dubbed xMOOCs Readiness Indicators. Results demonstrated overwhelming preponderance of Postgraduates’ incomparable superiority over other students across all the eight factors of readiness for xMOOCs (study skills, motivation, self-direction, computer skills, Internet skills, communication skills, self-efficacy, and ICT facilities ownership). There is inequity in Nigeria in terms of university students’ readiness for xMOOCs. While xMOOCs can and should successfully be used for postgraduate programs in Nigeria as the learners are suitably ready for it; the three categories of undergraduate learners’ readiness for xMOOCs demand radical improvement before this swiftly revolutionary educational approach can be adopted optimally fruitfully in the country.
Keywords: Computer Skills, Factor of Readiness, Inequity in Nigeria, Internet skills, MOOCs, Motivation, NOUN, Open Distance Learners, Postgraduate Learners, Readiness for xMOOCs, Study Skills, Undergraduate Learners, xMOOCs