THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

The last decade has witnessed rapid growth in the introduction of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in distance learning. The Distance Learning Centre (DLC) of University of Ibadan, Nigeria has also improved its mode of service delivery in line with the global trend by including e-learning and e-materials. The Centre has embraced the use of various ICTs platforms in the form of Internet and other electronic materials in the delivery of most of its services to the students. This study therefore evaluates the preference, level of adoption and usage of these ICTs by the students. Simple random sampling technique was employed for administration of 100 copies of structured questionnaire to the students. The use of Internet ranked topmost among the ICTs platforms used by the students, although majority of the students are still faced with the challenge of inaccessibility and visit commercial cyber cafés to access Internet for their studies. About 47.9 percent of the students preferred hard copies of DLC course materials and 58.5 percent strongly disagree with the use of CD as DLC reading materials. Majority of the students also preferred to visit DLC office rather than obtaining information on its website. DLC therefore needs to embark on more awareness creation on the need for ICTs usage and strategy to increase adoption by its students.Keywords: Distance Learning, ICT, Electronic materials, Internet, Technology adoptio

THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

The last decade has witnessed rapid growth in the introduction of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in distance learning. The Distance Learning Centre (DLC) of University of Ibadan, Nigeria has also improved its mode of service delivery in line with the global trend by including e-learning and e-materials. The Centre has embraced the use of various ICTs platforms in the form of Internet and other electronic materials in the delivery of most of its services to the students. This study therefore evaluates the preference, level of adoption and usage of these ICTs by the students. Simple random sampling technique was employed for administration of 100 copies of structured questionnaire to the students. The use of Internet ranked topmost among the ICTs platforms used by the students, although majority of the students are still faced with the challenge of inaccessibility and visit commercial cyber cafés to access Internet for their studies. About 47.9 percent of the students preferred hard copies of DLC course materials and 58.5 percent strongly disagree with the use of CD as DLC reading materials. Majority of the students also preferred to visit DLC office rather than obtaining information on its website. DLC therefore needs to embark on more awareness creation on the need for ICTs usage and strategy to increase adoption by its students.Keywords: Distance Learning, ICT, Electronic materials, Internet, Technology adoptio

Socio-Economic Benefits of Iroko Trees (Milicia excelsa Welw C.C. Berg) in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria

A complete survey of Iroko trees in Ibadan metropolis was carried out with the view to determining their distribution and status. The entire of Ibadan City was considered for the study. The city was divided into sections and a reconnaissance survey was conducted to confirm existence of the tree species within each of the section. Direct observation of the already identified Iroko trees was then carried out during the actual data collection stage of the study. Permissions were sought before data collection was carried out on the identified trees. A total of 62 Iroko trees were surveyed; out of these, 33 (53.2%) stands were accessible while the remaining 29 stands (46.8%) were inaccessible. Many of the trees that could not be accessed were a result of restriction into the location where they exist. The most frequently observed benefit obtained trees are shade from direct sunlight and cool breeze it creates. Other uses of trees include peeling of the tree bark and used in preparation of local medicine, fetish activities on and around the tree, and use of the fallen branches as firewood. There is urgent need for appropriate protection strategies of these remaining indigenous tree species where they exist. Keywords: Milicia excelsa, endangered species, urban forest, bark slashing, medicines, restriction, Ibada

Perceived Effects of Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events on Forests and Forest-Based Livelihoods in Malawi

The emerging risks and impacts of climate change and extreme weather events on forest ecosystems present significant threats to forest-based livelihoods. Understanding climate change and its consequences on forests and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities could support forest-based strategies for responding to climate change. Using perception-based assessment principles, we assessed the effects of climate change and extreme weather events on forests and forest-based livelihood among the forest-dependent communities around the Mchinji and Phirilongwe Forest Reserves in the Mchinji and Mangochi districts in Malawi. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The impact of erratic rainfall, high temperatures, strong winds, flooding, and droughts was investigated using logistic regression models. The respondents perceived increasing erratic rainfall, high temperatures, strong winds, flooding, and droughts as key extreme climate events in their locality. These results varied significantly between the study sites (p < 0.05). Erratic rainfall was perceived to pose extended effects on access to the forest in both Phirilongwe in Mangochi (43%) and Mchinji (61%). Climate change was found to be associated with reduced availability of firewood, thatch grasses, fruits and food, vegetables, mushrooms, and medicinal plants (p < 0.05). Erratic rainfall and high temperatures were more likely perceived to cause reduced availability of essential forest products, and increased flooding and strong winds were less likely attributed to any effect on forest product availability. The study concludes that climate change and extreme weather events can affect the access and availability of forest products for livelihoods. Locally based approaches such as forest products domestication are recommended to address threats to climate-sensitive forest-based livelihoods