Online Learning Essentials: A Prerequisite for Productive Learning and Sustainable Development in Higher Education

Online learning is one of the learning modes that provide open access and flexibility for students who may have various commitments such as work, family, or other responsibilities. It provides students with the opportunities to learn at their own pace and time, making education more inclusive and adaptable to individual needs. The importance of this mode of learning to ensuring sustainable development in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Hence, the need to see online learning essentials as critical components for the effective integration of information and communication technology in higher education for sustainable development. This era is a technology era with daily advancement and transformation in both processes and products of all operational systems in the world, and the education system is not exempted. Both the learners and the facilitators need training for professional development when it comes to promoting open access and equal flexible learning as prescribed by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for sustainable development in the African continent. Therefore, the core essential components of online learning discussed in this article are accessibility and connectivity, learning management systems, courseware development, self-regulation, communication and engagement, system usability and maintenance, robust learning management systems, and the provision of technical support systems. Among other recommendations put forward are providing training and orientations for online students and facilitators for the optimization of learning outcomes; adequate digital and technical skills are highly required for the attainment of efficiency and effective course delivery.