A PATH-ANALYTIC STUDY OF SOME CORRELATES PREDICTING PERSISTENCE AND STUDENT‘S SUCCESS IN DISTANCE EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

This study examined the influence of some predictors in the enhancement of persistence
and students success in distance education in the two most recognised and respected
distance learning institutions in Nigeria–the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of
University of Lagos and Distance Learning Centre of University of Ibadan. The need for
this study arose because distance education is still, very much, in its embryonic stage in
Nigeria due to the minimum deployment of technology which is the hallmark of this form
of education. Four research questions were formulated to ascertain the relative
contribution of each predictor to persistence and students success. A Multiple
Regression Analysis converged on a eight predictor model revealed that the most
important predictors for enhancing persistence and students‘ success are the learning
conduciveness of the environment and the provision of student support services with Fratio
75.39 and 73.03 respectively. Tutors response pattern and learners perception of
course materials were found important too with F-ratio 22.01 and 15.54 respectively.
While the learners home background cum occupational status and institutions social
interaction were found insignificant (F-ratio 0.25 and 7.98 respectively). These findings
have implications for the design of academic curriculum for distance learning programme
where attention must be paid to the provision of these important predictors.