Influence of Availability of Information Communication Technologies Infrastructure on Quality of Distance Teaching and Learning in Kenyan Universities

Information Communication Technologies are many and varied and they include different types of network infrastructure and internet connectivity. Information communication technologies play a key role in distance teaching and learning. The study investigated the influence of availability of ICTs infrastructure on quality of distance teaching and learning in Kenyan universities. The study was guided by mixed methods research approaches. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected. The target population was ODeL directors, lecturers who taught ODeL students, ICT technical staff and ODeL students from the selected universities that offer programmes through ODeL. Sampling was done by use of stratified, systematic and purposive sampling. Among all the universities that offer ODeL programmes, four universities were purposively sampled for the study. The sample size included 4 ODeL directors, 78 lecturers, 4 ICT technical staff and 156 ODeL students. Data was collected by use of questionnaires, interview guide and documents analysis guide. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Analysis of quantitative data was done by the help of Predictive Analytical System (Version 20.0). Qualitative data was coded and analyzed in themes emerging from the narratives. The findings revealed that computers were the most available ICT infrastructure used in distance teaching and learning in the sampled universities while the audio and video conferencing were not available for distance teaching and learning. Based on students opinion, availability of ICT infrastructure was significant in enhancing quality of distance teaching and learning contrary to lecturers opinion. The study recommended that distance teaching universities should embrace video and audio conferencing as they offer two way interactive communications between the learner and the tutor thus improving quality of instructional delivery for distance learners.