BRIDGING THE DISTANCE IN OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING: DEVELOPING STUDENT-STUDENT AND STUDENT-LECTURER COLLABORATIVE FORUM

Abstract

The internet has been a platform for individuals, groups of people and companies to interact with one another through the social media. The social media has truly aided interaction in academic settings and services through social networks, forums, blogs, among others. Forums are now been used as tools/platforms to create discussions, connect to people (mostly of similar interests) and as sources of relevant information. This work intends to make use of forums as tools in helping NOUN students to simplify their studies considering the peculiarity of the program. Based on an in-depth review of some relevant literatures, some key requirements have been considered in the development of the application. The app has been developed and tested against the objective. The system was implemented using MYSQL database, hypertext pre-processor (PHP), JavaScript and apache server. The methodology employed was Object-oriented analysis and design (OOAD). The developed system is user friendly and was designed with student, lecturers, and admin interfaces to assist users interact using friendly interfaces. The implication for students is the provision of a platform for student – student, student – lecturers and student to management interactions. Other implications for the ODL institution, the government are discussed.