ABSTRACT
The research provides an assessment of the utilization of
internet services among students in federal institution in Kaduna
State. It provides a conceptual and theoretical appraisal of the
nature, challenges and significance of internet services. The study
typify the importance of internet service and the various dimensional
usage by students in higher institution of learning. The case appraisal
depicts the patronage of internet services by students of Federal
Institution In Kaduna State.
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.
CHAPTER 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.
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
- RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What is the nature of internet services
- What is the relevance and significance of internet services in higher institution of learning
- What are the challenges of internet usage among students of higher institution
- What is the level of usage of internet services among students in federal institution in kaduna state.
- OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1 To determine the nature of internet services
- To appraise the relevance of internet services in academic higher institution
- To determine the challenges in internet usage among students of higher institution
- 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
- The study shall provide a structural analysis of internet usage among students of federal institution
In Kaduna State
- 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.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
DEFINITION OF INTERNET
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.