Evaluation of the Usability and Challenges Facing the Adoption of Online Based Cloud Services in National Open University of Nigeria, North Central Zone

This paper evaluates the usability and challenges facing the adoption of online based cloud services in National Open University of Nigeria, North Central Zone. To achieve the objective, this study raised four research questions. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design. Results from the study showed that the most adopted online based cloud services in NOUN study centres is email and majority of staff and students don’t use the online based cloud storage services. Only few of them were found to be using storage infrastructure. Also, only few have ever come across any Online Cloud Collaboration Solution, Virtual Office Online Suite Solutions and Online Extra Processing Power. The percentage of awareness of the usefulness of online based cloud services at NOUN study centres was found to be low. It was observed that lack of internet connectivity, network fluctuation, poor knowledge of online cloud services by facilitators and students, malfunctioning of cloud services hardware facilities and non-availability of cloud services packages are impediments to usage of online based cloud services in NOUN study centres The restructuring of curriculum in a way that cloud computing and its numerous benefits and opportunities should be effected in NOUN; adequate and constant availability of internet network connection should be provided by management; employing the services of professionals and constant orientation of facilitators and students on new developments in cloud computing was also recommended.

Keywords: Cloud computing, ICT, digital literacy