Enhancing Access and Quality of Open Instructional Videos in Africa: Visibility of NOUN Repository on Social Media

Abstract

PCF10 Sub-theme: Inspiring Innovations // National Open University of Nigeria’s (NOUN’s) open courseware has been adjudged a source of dependable open educational resources for students and instructors within and outside the ambit of open and distance learning institutions across Africa and beyond. The development of instructional videos, produced by professionals in every subject area in NOUN has significantly added value to open learning resources. Opening the instructional videos to unrestricted access particularly through social media has been a subject of debate considering the public request and the university’s need to protect the integrity of the videos. Although social media, especially YouTube, house both open and restricted access instructional videos, doubtful sources and questionable contents have made its adoption for open universal education a prolonged challenge. This work surveyed public opinion within and outside Nigeria on how social media could enhance the openness of NOUN’s instructional videos and boost the users’ trust in the contents on social media. Hinging the discussion on Uses and Gratification theoretical analysis, transporting NOUN’s instructional videos to social media was adjudged a welcome development. Substantial empirical deductions from public perceptions of the idea affirmed that the practice would lubricate the public’s interest and confidence in open and distance education. // Paper ID 6850