Institutionalizing Learning Management System: An Open Distance Learning Approach
Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are increasingly used in modern education as a technology to reshape the teaching-learning process. While LMSs are widely adopted in higher education institutions across many countries, they are still considered a new technology in some regions, including Nigeria, where they are becoming integral to educational delivery, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns. This study utilized the Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (MOODLE) as an open-source software to implement an LMS at a Nigerian university. A pragmatic, mixed-methods methodology was adopted, emphasizing practical implementation through structured stages of planning, setup, training, deployment, and evaluation. This approach allowed for continual assessment and improvement, ensuring that the deployment was adaptable to the needs of the university. The research aimed to deploy the platform and train lecturers on utilizing standard pedagogical designs to create open distance learning activities for their courses. Through qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, the study assessed the acceptance of the LMS among lecturers and promoted awareness of the benefits of using MOODLE in the university. The research successfully achieved its objectives by effectively deploying the learning platform, training the lecturers, and enhancing awareness of MOODLE as a learning management system within the Nigerian higher education context.
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