Prospects and Challenges of Online Guidance and Counselling Services in a Nigerian University
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Prospects and Challenges of Online Guidance and Counselling Services in a Nigerian University Olusegun F. Adebowale & Bayode I. Popoola
Published online: 21 January 2011 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011
Abstract This study examined the prospects and challenges of online guidance and counselling services at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. It considered students' views on the nature of and preferences for online services, and the problems that might potentially be presented in that context. It also surveyed staff in regard to assessing the human and material resources available for offering such services. Two hundred students were selected by random sampling at the eight cybercafés on the University campus. Also, one hundred staff members were purposively selected, consisting of technical experts, trained counsellors and other academic and non-academic staff members. Data were collected through separate questionnaires for students and staff on the ‘Prospects of Online Guidance and Counselling services at OAU’. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, Relative Significance Index, factor analysis and cluster analysis. The results showed that students identified potential online guidance and counselling needs as being mainly related to academic/educational interests; specifically, career planning, problem-solving skills and acquiring effective study skills. Sexual issues as well as dating and relationship issues came last on the list of the 12 potential online counselling needs identified. Most of the students (89.5%) had favourable perceptions towards the possible establishment of online guidance and counselling services in the University. Results from staff responses identified some significant limitations in terms of current human and material resources, with these needing to be rectified if the University was to offer online counselling and guidance services. Keywords Online counselling . Computer technology . Nigeria . University students
O. F. Adebowale (*) : B. I. Popoola Department of Educational Foundations and Counseling, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria e-mail: [email protected]
Int J Adv Counselling (2011) 33:64–78
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Introduction In Nigeria, the population of universities is typically made up of students in two transitory developmental stages that largely inform their needs and challenges. These are late adolescence, which spans a period of around 18 to 21 years, and early adulthood, a period from around 21 to 39 years. As well as the range of usual developmental concerns faced by Nigerian students, several particular issues add to the challenges they face. For instance, Oduyela (2001) chronicled the occurrence, prevalence and impact of cultism on Nigerian university campuses. Uzokwe (2008) also expressed concerns about university students in Nigeria raising funds directly or indirectly through prostitution. Other challenges to adolescents and young adults on Nigerian university campuses include health matters, such as the spread of sexually transmitted
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