CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The convergence of information and
communication technologies as typified by the Internet is increasingly having
more influence on all aspects of the society as it has become an integral part
of the
daily lives of many people. It has had
a transformative impact on the mode of information sharing and access globally.
Information and knowledge disseminated through the slow process of oral communications
or with paper materials can now be transferred rapidly from an individual to an
infinite number of users through a number of media and formats. The Internet is
the fastest growing communication technology and has emerged as a major source
of information that connects people, data and other computers, reducing the
world to the much talked-about global village. Bane and Milhemi (1995)
described the Internet as the premier networks, everyone connected or as
unmanaged web of computer plasma. Technically and functionally, Hargittai
(1999) defined the Internet as a worldwide network of computers, and a network
of people using computers that make vast amounts of information available.
Amichai-Hamburger and Hayat (2010) described the Internet as the creation of a
continuous stream of computers linked together to form one grid, which enables
interaction among hundreds of millions of people browsing the net.
Whereas the television revolution
reached 50 million viewers in 13 years, the same feat was attained in only four
years by the Internet (Molosi, 2001). Yunus and Khayal (2000) posited that if there
is only one force that is transforming people’s lives and that holds promise to
deliver tumultuos impact in the future, it is Internet. To underscore the
increasing reliance on the Internet, Huttner (2007) posited that without the Internet,
planes would not fly, financial markets would not operate, supermarkets would
not restock, taxes would not get paid and the power grid would not balance the
supply and demand for electricity. Aqil and
Ahmad (2011) averred that the Internet
places information on our finger tips and that it is everywhere, knocking at
our door, making our life easy and smooth.
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The education sector was among those that first
embraced the use of Internet, and it has continued to broaden the breadth and
depth of opportunities within institutions of higher learning worldwide. The Internet
serves as a useful tool in support of the various educational activities that
ranged from research to teaching. Anderson and Reed (1998) noted that the
Internet technology and computers has made it possible for students to be
active learners and allowed instructors to be facilitators. Jackson, et al.
(2011) remarked that the Internet will level the educational playing field due
to its availability to everyone, everywhere, and any time, irrespective of
gender, race/ethnicity, income or other socio-demographic characteristics.
Thus, the Internet is a vital tool that will propel University education to
greater heights as the world move further into the knowledge-based economy.
Universities worldwide now invest a lot on intenet
access because it reduces the time between the production and utilization of
knowledge; improves co-operation and exchange of ideas with fellow researchers
in other institutions, regions or countries, furthers the sharing of
information; and promotes multidisciplinary research. Bon (2007) states that
the Internet can substitute for expensive hardcopy libraries, by availing
students’ access to scholarly information resources. Today, survival in
academics without the Internet is hardly imaginable. The Internet has found
useful applications in online data repositories, library catalogues, journals,
news services, student and financial administration systems, online supported
or solely online conducted teaching, as well as in digital communication with
fellow students and lecturers. Other contemporary uses of Internet by students
include purchasing, entertainment, and even dating. The investigation of how
the Internet fits into the daily life of staff and students at educational
institutions is worthwhile when one considers the ubiquitous and all pervasive communications
tool features of the Internet. Consequently, studies have been carried out in
many places to understand how University students use the Internet, the purposes
for which the students use the Internet, the search engines used, their
Internet skills as well as problems that hinder efficient Internet use.
The Internet is very useful to university students
and staff in Nigeria because it enables them to have access to timely, accurate
and relevant information that cannot be obtained from library shelves. Chan and
Fu (2009) noted that Internet searching helps university students to boost
their intellectual development and job preparation. Due to the endless nature
of information resources on the Internet, libraries are increasingly investing
in provision of Internet services and resources to enable their clients have
better access to the information.
Lyon (1998) states that Internet connections now
constitute a highly visible service in every library and that the librarians
and their clients have embraced it in their daily work. Academic libraries now
run information literacy courses to educate faculty members and students on
skills to access, retrieve and evaluate information resources from the
Internet. Qunqing (2004) referred to the Internet as ‘a large encyclopedia’ or
‘a library without walls’ for its abundant information.
The
research intends to assess the utilization of internet services among students
of federal institution in kaduna state.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The problem confronting this
research is to provide an assessment of the utilization of internet services
among students in federal institution in Kaduna State. In view of the growing significance
of internet services for academic research and learning, it is important to
appraise the level of awareness and patronage of students of higher institution
of the usage of internet services. The study focuses on the students of federal
institution in Kaduna State
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1
What is the nature of internet
services
2
What is the relevance and significance
of internet services in higher institution of learning
3
What are the challenges of internet
usage among students of higher institution
4
What is the level of usage of internet
services among students in federal institution in kaduna state.
1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1 To
determine the nature of internet services
2
To appraise the relevance of internet services in academic higher institution
3
To determine the challenges in
internet usage among students of higher institution
4
To provide an assessment of internet
utilization among students of federal institution in kaduna state
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1
The study shall provide an analysis
of the nature of internet services
1
The study shall provide a
structural analysis of internet usage
among students of federal institution
In Kaduna State
2
It shall provide useful information on internet
facilities for research and academic purposes.
1.6 STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS
1 H0 Internet
is not significant to students of federal higher institution in kaduna state
H1 Internet is significant to students of federal higher institution in kaduna state
2 H0 Internet usage among students of federal higher
institution in kaduna state is low
H1
internet usage among students of
federal higher institution in kaduna state is high
3 H0 challenges
of internet usage among students of federal higher institution in kaduna is high
H1 challenges
of internet usage among students of federal higher institution in kaduna is low
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study provides an assessment of
the utilization of internet services among students of federal
Institution in Kaduna State.