Abstract
In developing countries like Nigeria, distance learning programs have gained increased attention mainly due to the potential to provide equitable and accessible educational services for learners worldwide irrespective of location. This study specifically examined how frequent learners and faculty make use of OER materials. Also, this paper reports the investigation of faculty and learners’ attitudes towards OER application and as well as identifying the purpose of using OER by them. Descriptive statistics were used as the research design and 1200 Open and Distance learning (ODL) students and staff of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria, were used as research population. 300 staff and students were sampled using Taro Yamane to determine the sample size. The finding indicated that OER was completely unknown to more than 60% of the respondents and that, among those who have some knowledge, less than 10% realized the importance of OER. It can be concluded that OERs increasingly play an indisputable and fundamental role in providing cost-effective access to educational materials for both faculty and learners and becoming a valuable alternative to improve access to high-quality educational content released under open licenses by outstanding universities worldwide. Hence, distance learning programs should support the development of OER packages for improved teaching and learning.
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