STUDENTS’ DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES ON THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING IN AN ERA OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study examined students’ demographic variables on their academic performance in open and distance learning in an era of artificial intelligence in Rivers State University. The study was guided by 3 research questions and 3 null hypotheses. The population comprised of 2142 (1144 male and female) undergraduates of 2020-2021 academic session of Rivers State University. The sample size was 176 (87 male and 89 female) selected using stratified random technique. The instrument used to collect data was questionnaire. Three experts validated the instrument, and the Cronbach Alpha statistics reliability method was used to achieve a reliability index of 0.81. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while z– test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that, age, gender, and socioeconomic status of students to a very high extent influence students’ academic performance in open and distant learning in an era of artificial intelligence. The researchers therefore recommended that; age is no barrier to technological gadgets usage; older students should not see age as a hindrance to being competent in gadgets usage.  Parents should also give equal opportunities to their male and female wards as regards usage of technological gadgets as learning facilitators to enhance their learning and government should provide free internet in schools to enable students from all backgrounds have equal access to internet.