Abstract

This study focused on perceived effect of Covid-19 pandemic on the use of distance learning tools among students of College of Agricultural Sciences,Olabisi Onabanjo University. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 145 students on demographic characteristics, awareness and level of use of distance learning tools, perception of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and constraints to the use of distance learning tools. Results reveal that the average age of students was 24 years. Over half (54.5%) of the students were female. Majority (97.2%) of the students were single and had average month allowance of N20,634.48. Distance learning tools used by students during COVID-19 pandemic were Microsoft teams (1.45), Zoom (0.47) and Google classroom (0.38). Judging from the average mean score, distance learning tools was utilized during COVID-19 pandemic (2.69) than before COVID-19 pandemic (1.31). The most severe constraints to the use of distance learning tools as perceived by the students were poor power supply and unsubsidized data for lecturers and students to aid online education. Over half (51.0%) of the students had low level of perception of the effects of distance learning tools. The most severe constraint to the use of distance learning tools were poor power supply ( 1.51) and unsubsidized data to aid online education ( 1.50). Also, there was significant relationship between perceived effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the use of distance learning tools and age, sex, marital status and constraints. In conclusion, government should embark on rural electrification of the study area to ensure steady power supply, while parents and guardians should assist students to ensure data subscription for effective use of online tools.