African Journal of Political Science

African Journal of Political Science ISSN 3461-2165 Vol. 7 (9), pp. 001-005, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Challenges of technology mediated approach to counselling in the National Open University of Nigeria

Fidel O. Okopi

National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 11 March, 2013

Abstract

The main thrust of this paper is to identify impediments militating against the provision of quality guidance and counselling services through technologically mediated approach in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The current trend all over the world points on how transformation of counselling from mechanical phases to digital phases, which will enhances quick and quality service delivery. NOUN as University has 63 professionally qualified counselling psychologists with minimum qualification of Master’s degree, and also it is the largest single employer of counsellors in Nigeria. Also, the Student Counsellors in NOUN have the obligation of providing support services to distance learners from the first enquiry through to graduation. This paper discussed the concept of open and distance education as it applies to Nigeria, the mission statement of NOUN, the learner support services, guidance and counselling services in NOUN, information and communication technology in education, advantages of using computer and internet facility for counselling an open and distance education, counselling services from first enquiry through graduation of studying in ODE that could be offered through the internet, challenges of guidance service delivery in NOUN made incisive recommendations on how to improve technology mediated guidance service delivery.

Key words: Internet, challenges, technology, counselling, distance education.