ABSTRACT
This study investigated accessibility
use of internet as a source of information for academic work by public school
teachers in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted
and purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 169 respondents,
questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. Data were analyzed
using descriptive statistics, consisting of tables, percentages and mean
statistics. The main findings revealed that public school teachers do not have
internet facilities in their schools and they access the internet through their
personal computers, smart phones and cyber café. Findings also revealed that
public school teachers consult the internet to form lesson note, do academic
research/personal research, get news and information, communicate via email and
social media. They also agreed that internet services have impact on them
through access to information anytime and anywhere, to increase the opportunity
for scholarly communication with colleagues as well as improve their lesson
note. Lack of internet services/connectivity in the school, poor electricity
supply, poor funding of school library services (internet services) were the
major challenges the respondents faced when using internet services and
facilities. The study recommended the public school managements should provide
adequate internet facilities in public schools and also make them accessible to
public school teachers.
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1
Background
of the Study
The
convergence of computer and telecommunication has revolutionized information
management in the present day information environment. One of the products
of this myriad of convergence is the birth of the Internet. In the
process of trying to make information available to information seekers
and users in the past few years, Internet has become the major source of information. This is
so, considering the strategic importance of Internet in information retrieval.
The world over have been availed the opportunity of Internet in the enhancement
of knowledge and research. The invention of the Internet and on-line information
search engines, among others have made this possible. Yusuf (2005) assert that the field of
education has been affected by internet access, which has undoubtedly affected
teaching, learning, and research. Education is a fundamental human process; a
matter of values and action. The cluster of technologies called the “Internet”
has the ability to complement, reinforce, and to enhance the educational
process.
The
internet is a vast global network that links millions of computers ranging from
the smallest handheld personal mobile digital assistants to the most powerful
computer systems ever constructed. The power of the internet is that it allows
a worldwide community comprising millions of people to communicate, access, and
publish information. People are using the internet to gain access to libraries
throughout the world, aid in research projects and cross-cultural studies,
solve school assignments, and enhance foreign language skills, and simply
exchange ideas and studies with their peers. The internet has become a global
cultural phenomenon; tens of millions of people have access to the system. It
is of the same magnitude as television was in its early years and is the most
powerful current trend for societal change. According to Dowlin (2001), opines that
“participation in the internet collapses geography and time”. The cost is
independent of distance and the information is accessed in real or virtual time
with little delay. However, Internet is not self dependent but a network
itself. One needs computer or an enabled mobile phone to access the information
and other multimedia resources through the internet. Therefore, because of the
countless benefits from using the internet especially the educational value,
schools now acquire computer systems with telecommunication tools to have
access to the internet.
The
Internet can be used to source information or for research by browsing the
World Wide Web (www) using the Uniform resource locator (URL) to access
databases provided electronically by information providers. E-mails can be sent
and received; chats and discussion can be conducted in addition to the
transaction of e-commerce. In line with this, Anyokoha,(2005) assert that the
internet which is usually called information superhighway is simply the interconnectivity
of computers that provide a wide range of information in all facets of human
endeavors to end-users. Teachers need Internet because of its flexibility and
dynamism in information retrieval, storage and processing. Internet is very
important to public school teachers because they need to have access to timely,
accurate and relevant information for their teaching and research.
Internet
sources like the search engines have greatly increased the speed of searching
out information. They have brought considerable relief to teachers in secondary
school, as they can conveniently walk and browse lessons and discussion and
have access to unlimited information. According to Ejizu (2010), the Internet
is a global network made up of many smaller networks that enable computer users
to share information and resources quickly and easily. The above definition
implies that the Internet is a connection of millions of computers around the
globe such that one of the connected computers could have access to any information
stored in these computers within the global village. One may also describe the
Internet as a tool that connects various types of computers to one another in a
way that a computer on the Internet can communicate and share information with
other computers in the network of networks, even though there may be no direct
physical connection between them.
The
Internet is very useful to public school teachers’ especially in Nigeria
because it enables them to have access to timely, accurate and relevant information
that can be used for their lesson According Owolabi (2007) maintains that the
Internet has become the market place for learning and online education.
Contributing to this, Ojedokun (2001) points out that the Internet has broken
down barriers of communication and information access from any part of the
World and that it allows users to have access to information and offers them
opportunity to access up-to-date research. Due to the endless nature of
information resources on the Internet, schools and libraries are increasingly
investing in provision of Internet services and resources to enable their
clients have better access to their information.
Furthermore,
with the current interest in creating a society of lifelong learners, it is
evident that public school teachers (that is, those persons who provide
education for pupils) must be able to find, evaluate, and use information that
is constantly changing. According to Berkowitz (2002) reports that information
and technology skills are the 'new basics' and being able to find and use
information more effectively is essential to the success of teachers in public
school. The Internet brought about a free flow of information all over the
globe. One could possibly get access to any kind of information on almost
everything. There have been several
important observations on the changes in the way information is accessed since
the advent of the Internet. Information on the other hand can be defined as
facts, ideas, signs, symbols, pictures and processed data which when received
and understood can improve the knowledge state of the receiver in a given
situation or phenomenon. The fact is that for information to be useful it must
be accessible.
Accessibility
is a key aspect of usage and can be refers to the ability to use a product or
service effectively. In the internet parlance, internet access is the process
that enables individuals to connect to the internet using computers and mobile
device. Hicks (2002), concludes that the Internet is a double-edged sword, as
students can use it to access any educational database, learn about any
country, they can also be subjected to perverse and deviant topics. Once
connected user gain access to information. The use of the internet entails the
process of utilizing the information resource on the internet. In line with
this, Oketunji (2001) asserts that Internet gives us access to a vast wealth of
knowledge and access to tools that facilitate research. The Internet offers the
opportunity to conduct remote classes, allow access to remote libraries, and
create an environment innovative and cooperative learning experiences. Internet
has become an important and reliable tool for information retrieval. Once
connected to the internet, it is possible to access a wide range of services
from around the world. This is so as the advent of internet, teachers and
students can work together without physical interaction between each other and
achieve the same objectives with that of traditional way of studying. Teachers exchange ideas and communicate
effectively since teaching, learning and research is now made easy with the
internet.
It
is pertinent to note that effective teaching is essential for effective
learning. The process of teaching has become more complex of late such that
computer and internet literacy play significant roles in education. According
to Schneider, Evans and Pinard, (2006) opines that in Today world, the Internet
can link all online computers so that people can use it to communicate
throughout the world. Due to internet illiteracy of some teachers because of
the educational level still pride themselves as being internet literate, the
fact still remains that some are yet to acclimatize with the internet. In this
context the study focused on finding the access and use of internet as a source
of information for academic works by public school teachers.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
It has been
observed in this contemporary information age that the Internet has
increasingly become an invaluable asset in education in terms of learning,
teaching and research. Its role in information handling, packaging, storing,
retrieving and dissemination is at the root of any meaningful academic
enterprise all over the world. The Internet is now prominent in making
information and data available to researchers. However, Due to internet
illiteracy of some teachers and because of their educational background/level
still pride themselves as being internet literate, the fact still remains that
some are yet to acclimatize with the internet, In line with this, Kilimci
Songül (2010), assert that teachers might find it difficult to use ICT in their
classrooms due to the rapid technological development and lack of
knowledge/experience of and familiarity with ICT. It is quite regrettable that
despite the numerous advantages of internet, most teachers do not know how to
search or to get the right information in the course of their academic work.
Most often, even to synthesize and analyze the information becomes a nightmare
to some teachers. The inability of teachers to overcome these problems
automatically makes it impossible to explore the potentials of the Internet.
Hence, it becomes imperatives to find out the accessibility and use of Internet
as source of information for academic works by public school teachers in Esan-west
local Government, Ekpoma, Edo state.
1.3
Objectives of the Study
The
major objective of this study is the accessibility and use of internet as a
source of information for academic works by public school teachers in Ekpoma,
Edo State.
The
specific objectives for the study are to:
1. Find
out if Public school teachers have
access to the internet.
2. Determine
the extent of Internet use by Public school teachers.
3. Investigate
the purpose of using of Internet by Public school teachers for their academic
work.
4. Find
out the impact of internet use on public school teachers.
5. Find
out the challenges encountered by public school teachers when using the
Internet services for their academic work.
1.4
Research Questions
The
following are the research questions which will be address in the study;
1.
How often do public school teachers access the internet to support their
academic work?
2 To
what extent do Public school teachers use the Internet?
3
What is the purpose of using Internet by
Public school teachers?
4 What
is the impact of internet use by public school teachers?
5 What are the challenges
encountered using the Internet by Public school teachers for their academic
work?
4.1
Scope of Study
This
study will be limited to investigating internet as source of information for
academic work by public school teachers in ten selected public schools in Ekpoma,
Edo state.
1.6 Significant of the Study
This study is expected to enlighten and broaden the
knowledge of public school teachers on how effective of using internet as a
source of information and incorporating the findings into the teaching process.
The
study will also be helpful to school administration, government agencies,
ministry of education and policy makers as it will enable them to realize the
use of Internet in education and thus work towards reflecting it in their
educational policies and programs. Also, it will serve as a framework and
guideline to them in establishing effective Internet network and maintain the
existing ones to enable the teachers have easily access to the Internet.
Finally,
the study will help future researchers’ study as it will go a long way in
making them realize the need for further studies in this area and will form a
bedrock for further studies. Also this study will add to the existing
literature in the field and also serve as a guide for researcher who wishes to
carry out further research in related areas.
1.7 Limitation of Study
It
is pertinent to say no research is perfect. Although conscious efforts have
been made to ensure that the data collected was valid and findings reliable.
Nevertheless, there could be some sources of errors prior to financial and time
constraint, and also the literature and tools used in carrying out this research
work was not easy to come by.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
The
under- listed terms are used in the research work in the sense, in which they
are defined here under;
Internet:
a network of linked computers which are located at different point all over the
world to provide easy communication between persons and organizations no matter
where they are located.
Internet use:
the utilization of the internet.
Web: a form of a multimedia system of sound,
pictures, files, videos for finding information in the internet.
Public school:
a school supported by public funds.
Teacher: a person who provides education for pupils or
students. They teach specific area of study.
Information:
data, presented in readily comprehensible form to which meaning has been
attributed within a context for it uses.
Accessibility: the
ability to have or access something in order to use it for one self.
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