Digital Technology: A means in distance and adult education in Nigeria

Patience C. Ibe ¹ ,
Chioma Unezeh²,
Ibe, Evarest Onyewuchi³

¹Department of Adult and Continuing Education, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Nigeria
²Department of Educational Psychology and Guidance and Counselling, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Nigeria
³Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria

 Abstract
This paper examines digital technology as a means in distance education, which is learning from a distance, digital tools and technologies are the means of communication in distance education which bridge the gaps between the tutor and the learners. They are ways of encouraging adults engage in learning. The introduction of the digital technologies in adult education and in distance education in particular, though offers flexibility, simpler access, a wealth of potential multimedia resources, it also poses new challenges to distance education providers in delivery and accessing education. No doubt, the future is digital but can digital tools fix all of adult learning. Using digital tools          in learning environments are becoming popular in higher education and professional training; teaching and learning through webinars and web conferencing represents one widely used approach. Webinars are defined as web-based seminars in which participants and facilitators communicate live over the internet across distant geographical locations using shared virtual platforms and interact ubiquitously and synchronously within real-time through voice over IP technology and web camera equipment. 

This paper looked at the meaning of digital technology, adult education and distance education, importance and challenges of the use of digital tools/technologies in distance education.it went further to describe the modes of distance education, importance of digital technologies and media use in distance education, the challenges and recommendation.

Keywords: Digital technology, adult education, distance education, challenges.