CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Communication is a knowledge-conveying process between a source and a receiver who understands the message correctly (İşcan, 2013, p. 3). The etymological origin of “communication” dates back to Latin, and the words “communıs” and “communicare” (Gürüz & Eğinli, 2008, p. 5). Communication affects people’s thoughts and attitudes as well as leading to the sharing of knowledge, sensations, and thoughts. In other words, communication is a system of relationships to convey knowledge between people (Gürüz & Eğinli, 2008, p. 5). Communication helps to build relationships and facilitates achievement of goals. Thus the need for effective communication strategies for the improvement of schools cannot be overemphasized. Effective communication is the sharing of ideas, facts, thought and feelings for easy coexistence. It is a two way process which involves the sender and the receiver, it is concerned with transmitting and receiving information which is the key to all aspects of organizational life, whether it is a school, a manufacturing firm or a service firm. (Bridge, 2003) E-learning on the other hand, has been a useful tool for an effective communication system in teaching and learning (Jung, 2002). E-Learning is the employment of technology to aid and enhance learning. It can be as simple as students watching a video documentary in class or as complex as an entire university course provided online. E-Learning began decades ago with the introduction of televisions and over-head projectors in classrooms and has advanced to include interactive computer programmes, 3D simulations, video and telephone conferencing and real-time online discussion groups comprised of students from all over the world. As technology advances, so does e-learning, and it is making the possibilities accruable from it endless (Olaniyi, 2006). Education is regarded as one of the most important factors for poverty reduction and economic growth in developing countries but effective communication system is needed for teaching and learning to ensure quality education. The use of effective Communication System for dissemination of education is considered to have great potential for any country seeking to satisfy a growing demand for education while facing a deficiency of teachers (Rich, 2008). Today, the development of the communication system into a worldwide, high-speed, multimedia communication platform (internet) has enabled the development of e-Learning as an effective teaching and learning mechanism. E-Learning started to have an important role in creating and promoting learning communities due to the new and effective communication tools that provides more accessibility and efficiency in the learning process, for both teachers and learners. E-Learning includes numerous types of media that deliver text, audio, images, animation, and streaming video, and includes technology applications and processes such as audio or video tape, satellite TV, CD-ROM, and computer-based learning, as well as local intranet/extranet and web-based learning (Suleiman, 2012). All these devices are tools that enhance effective communication in schools. Effective communication systems, whether free-standing or based on either local networks or the Internet in networked learning, underlay many e-Learning processes. The researcher is thereby examining the need for the devices to promote effective communication system in teaching and learning in Emmanuel College, Owerri.