Issues and Challenges in the Implementation of Blended Learning in Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) in Nigeria

Abstract

Blended learning is a hybrid of in-person instruction with technological integration. Students and institutions everywhere gain from blended learning as a teaching strategy. It promotes enhanced educational outcomes, flexibility, a feeling of community, efficient resource usage, and student satisfaction. Despite the advantages derivable from the adoption and integration of technology into the educational system, the Nigerian educational system, and notably the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Nigeria, seem to be excluded from this global impetus owing to a plethora of challenges which if not addressed, will hinder them from the opportunity of harnessing converging technologies that creates an inclusive learning environment. Using a systematic literature review approach the study identified challenges of blended learning in Higher Education Institutions to include: lack of clearly defined and streamlined strategies for teachers’ professional development supportive of blended learning implementation, poor ICT skills of teachers, lack of ICT infrastructure, under-funding, inadequate electricity, lack of access to software that will facilitate teaching and learning, lack of internet access, absence of a well-articulated strategy to guide ICT implementation, lack of political will to implement blended learning, all of which account for blended learning implementation challenges.