Decision-Making Skills and Academic Performance of Distance Education Learners: Implications for Students Counsellors

Abstract

The study adopted an Ex-post facto research design. The population consisted of 637 PGDDE students that were selected with the use of randomization sampling technique. 248 students were sampled for the study and the samples were grouped into two (High and Low) Decision-making skills students. The grouping was done based on the analysis of the samples responses on a standardised Students Academic Decision-making Skills Scale (SADMSS). The instruments for data collection were: Students' Academic Decision-making Skills Scale (SADMSS) and Semester Examination course result grades in four courses (Psychology of learning, Measurement and Evaluation, Sociology of Education and the Good Study Guides). The Psychometric properties of the research instruments, SADMSS were established with face and content validity and a test re-test administered after three weeks. The obtained alpha value was 0.84 while, semester examination course result grades of the four courses were moderated by External examiners appointed by the Senate of the University in the four subject areas. The study employed Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient statistical method to analyse the data at 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated no statistically significant relationship between the academic performance in Psychology of learning (r = 0.013 < 0.901), Measurement and Evaluation (r =0.086 < 0.391) and the Good Study Guide (r =-0.029 < 0.77) except Sociology of Education (r = 0.27 > 0.007) between High and Low decision-making skills students. Implications for Student's Counsellors particularly, those serving in open and distance learning institutions were recommended. Index Terms-Academic performance, decision-making skills, NOUN, student counsellors. Open and Distance Learning refers to education and training, making use of learning resources, rather than attending regular classroom session, is the central feature of the learning experience COL [1]. Open and Distance learning does not depend solely on the day-to-today or face-to-face classroom contact teaching and learning. The learning process in ODL system demands that a learner must develop an effective set of appropriate learning strategies or study skills in order to effectively study. Learning in an open and distance learning especially single mode institution is a novelistic concept in Nigeria and often many of the students are not aware of their responsibilities as distance learners and the set goals to be achieved. The goals of Distance learners vary greatly from completing formal degree programmes at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, or even doing certificate and diploma programmes, to learning specific job related skills, to pursuing leisure interest. COL [2]. The ODL students continue learning while fulfilling commitments to work family or community. While tutors may use different strategies to facilitate group and individual learning; the goal is the same as to enable learners to develop critical thinking and effective decision-making skills to learning that meet their needs and are appropriate to the content and context. COL [1]. This observation was supported by Ranasinghe, Vidanapathirana, Rajamanthri, Gamini, and Bullumulle, [3] while stating that Distance learners typically needed a lot of training on effective decision-making techniques to be provided by counselling and guidance experts in order to complete a programme. Students in open and distance learning must engage in different behavioural activities that are generally accepted by all psychologists to be rooted in decision-making. That is why the most widely and consistent concern is that learners in the open and distance learning must develop good decision-making skills that will help in their academic performance and achievements. In open and distance learning related courses such as the Good study guides were taught, learners support services were established with the employment of experts in counselling and guidance psychology so as to assists learners develop effective decision-making skills by most ODL institutions, these counselling and guidance psychology experts are called students counsellors in National Open University of Nigeria. Developing effective decision-making skills is one of the goals of guidance and counselling. The process involved are efficient evaluation of problems, list of possible solutions in term of merits and demerits, application of the most appropriate solution, acceptance of the outcomes and acting upon the outcomes Shertzer and Stone [4]; Denger [5]; Okon [6]; Saka [7]; Sambo [8] and Aminu & Gali [9]. The decision-making skills process was further supported by Mind Tools [10] a web based designed programme for measuring and training individuals on effective decision-making skills. According to the programme designers, the process include establishing a positive decision-making environment, generating potential solutions, Evaluating alternatives, Deciding, Checking the decision, Communicating and Implementing. The good thing done by the Mind Tools was that the processes were developed into an eighteen statement scale for measuring and classifying individual"s decision-making skills into not fully "matured", Ok" and "Excellent". Making a good or effective decision is vital to the overall