TITLE:
The Information Environment of Distance Learners: A Literature Review
AUTHORS:
Olugbade Oladokun
KEYWORDS:
Distance Learners; Information Environment; Mass-Media; Information Sources/Channels; Information Needs; Information (Seeking) Behaviour
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.5 No.5,
April
4,
2014
ABSTRACT: The distance mode
of educational delivery has become a very trendy method of popularizing education
and breaking down the “insularity and the elitism of the typical conventional
university”. It is widely known that distance learners can be
found everywhere and anywhere—in metropolitan,
non-metropolitan areas as well as any other environment. It is equally known
that the
information environment of users should aim to allow discovery, access and use
of resources for research and learning irrespective of a user’s location. Consequent
upon the fact that information support services are part of higher education
programmes that add to the value and quality of learning regardless
of the mode of delivery, the information needs of distance learners deserve to
be met, irrespective of where they are located. It is in this respect that
this review of literature seeks to examine the information needs of
distance learners. It also peeps into the information (seeking) be- haviour
culminating in how the information needs of distance learners are met. The
other aspect of this review is the channels and, or sources of information
through which the information needs of distance (remote) learners are met. Some
of the sources or channels considered are the library, modules/study guides,
lecturers or tutors, interaction with peers, friends/colleagues and mass-media.
The review examines literature both in the western world, as well as what is available
in Africa.