TITLE:
Promoting Open and Distance Learning in Ghana: The Benefits of Web-Based Information Literacy Programme for Distance Learners in Tertiary Institutions in Ghana
AUTHORS:
Hawa Osman, Thomas van der Walt
KEYWORDS:
Web-Based Information Literacy Instruction Program, Information Literacy, Distance Learners, Benefits, Importance, Distance Education, Open and Distance Learning
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.9 No.7,
July
29,
2022
ABSTRACT: This paper explored the benefits of web-based information literacy programs for Open and Distance Education at tertiary institutions in Ghana. The purpose was to showcase the importance of developing a web-based information literacy program (WBILIP) for teaching and learning among distance education students and promoting Open and Distance Education at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). This required a holistic perspective for in-depth findings, hence a qualitative method was adopted to conduct this study. A purposive sampling technique was used to sample 35 staff members of the four public universities in Ghana and an interview guide was used to conduct face-to-face zoom interviews for each person. The data was analyzed thematically with the aid of NVivo version 12. The thematic analysis provided several findings, some of which are that it enhances communication among colleague users, offers good feedback for evaluating, improving and upgrading online information literacy programs, and provides economic benefits by eliminating the cost and time of attending lecture rooms. It was concluded that WBILIP is very useful and a means of strengthening information literacy skill programs at UHAS.