TITLE:
Motivators of Students’ Persistence on Distance Learning Programmes in Ethno-Religious Crisis States in Nigeria: Implications for Counselling
AUTHORS:
Fidel O. Okopi, Joshua Pindar
KEYWORDS:
Motivators, Persistence, Distance, Learning, Ethno-Religious, Crisis, Counselling
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.5 No.13,
September
25,
2014
ABSTRACT: This study determines students’ persistence on distance learning
programmes despite ethno-religious crisis in twelve
Northern States in Nigeria. States selected for the study are Borno, Yobe,
Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Kogi and Sokoto
states that have suffered the worst ethno-religious crisis from 2009 to date. A
survey design via ex post facto was adopted for the
study. Samples for the study were distance learners, (200 to 400 levels) who
registered for the 2012/2013 examination, and 480 were selected from the 12
Study Centres through purposeful, and stratified random sampling techniques.
Data for the study were collected through a rating scale which was administered
and collected on the spot by the research assistants. Participants were asked
to rate the shortlisted factors—(Intrinsic-Personal
and Extrinsic-support
network factors) according to their levels of perceived significant influence
on why they persisted on their programmes of study, despite the ethno-religious
crisis. Experts in the Directorate of Learner Support Services were used to
validate the content and face validities of the instrument while test-retest
reliability method was used and Cronbach Alfa 0.78 was established. Descriptive
statistics and Pearson Moment Correlations Coefficient analyses were used to
determine the relative rating of each motivator. The findings were intrinsic
motivators like: desire to complete the programme was rated highest followed
by desire for personal growth and faith in God. The least motivator was, study
centre learning environment, followed by security provided at the centre and
Tutorial facilitators’ responses or feedback. The Pearson Moment Correlations
Coefficient analysis indicated 0.83
level of relationship between
extrinsic and extrinsic motivators. Recommendations were proffered at the end
of the study and implications for counselling were discussed.