ABSTRACT
The study investigates the use of library internet services by
undergraduate students for increased academic performance in polytechnics in
Edo State. The instrument used for collecting data was the questionnaire. Three
polytechnics were selected which are Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Shaka
Polytechnic Benin and Kings Polytechnic Ubiaja. The Morgan and Krejcie was used
to draw 370 sample population from 11,389 total population from Auchi
Polytechnic, also 108 sample population was drawn from 150 total population
from Shaka Polytechnic, and 113 sample population was drawn from 164 total
population from Kings Polytechnic. A total of 591questionnaires was sent to
respondents, while 350 representing 59.2% were retrieved from them. The
responses were analyzed using tables and simple percentages. The research
revealed that the undergraduate students in polytechnics were aware of the importance
of Internet and that some library internet facilities were available in the
polytechnics. Similarly, it was revealed that most undergraduate students
depended on these internet facilities for their assignments and projects.
Finally, it was discovered that the use of library internet facilities increase
the academic performance of the users (students). In conclusion, it is
important that both students and lecturers should understand and appreciate the
usage of library internet facilities in the learning and teaching processes
while it is recommended that seminars and workshop should be organized for all
students and lecturers to constantly acquaint themselves on the benefits of
these services.
CHAPTER
ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Traditional library systems are
gradually becoming a thing of the past. These is observed as most libraries now
rely and use the internet and other technologies in performing functions and
services. Thus, access to information now stimulates change, creating an
environment that makes learning meaningful and more responsive. Buttressing the
assertion above, Oketunji (2001) stated that internet gives us access to a vast
wealth of knowledge and access tools that facilitates research. The internet
offers the opportunity to conduct remote classes, allow access to remote
libraries, and create an environment innovative and cooperative learning
experiences.
Today, internet connectivity has
become a necessity. It allows tertiary institutions to leverage the teaching
and learning process. This ensure brighter future for students as it provides
access to information, helping to close the global information gap (Omagbemi,
Akintola and Olayiwola, 2004). Furthermore, Oketunji (2001) submitted that the
internet and other ICTs provide a golden opportunity for the provision of
value-added services by libraries.The internet provides challenges to the
formal educational system, it has fostered a collaborative approach to learning
of traditional methods. Odenewu and Olasore (2009) submitted that it is useful
for the following:
v As
an expert system
v As
reference resources
v Allows
communication with any professional colleague around the world
v Permits
access to libraries and library catalogues around the world.
v Valuable
information in electronic libraries, books, journals, magazines and newsletter
is made available
Leiner et al (2000) said the word
internet is derived, from two words ‘international’ and ‘network’. The internet
can be defined as an international computer network of information available to
the public than modern links.
The internet as conceived by the Advance
Research Project Agency (ARPA) of the US government in 1969 and was first known
as APRANET. The original aim was to create a network that would allow users of
a research computer at one university to be able to communicate with another
research computer in another university and to create a network that could
function even if a portion was damaged or destroyed in the event of military
attack or other disaster. The government and the university were the first
people to use the internet. Overtime, more educational institutions sought the
services of APRANET.
In 1980s, many people and
institutions from Europe and Asia used the Internet. The World Wide Web (www)
was introduced by Timothy Berner Lee an English Computer Scientist in 1989. In
the early 1990s, the web was popular. Overtime, the popularity of internet
exploded, more and more companies, private organizations and individuals began
to use and offer internet services.
Odenewu and Olasore (2009) stated that
the internet has become an important and reliable tool for information
retrieval. The internet is a global network of computers linked together over
large distance. It was created by the American military as a means of
communication and has been in the existence since the 1950’s up until the mid
to late eighteen century only commercial organizations, military based
institution and educational institutions used the internet, due to its high
cost. Felix Okoro et al (2004) says that The rapid development of technology
has improved communication links amidst lowering of cost. The implication of
this is that the internet is now more widely available to more people, and a
valuable source of information for individuals looking for information with
over 50million websites on the net.
Omijie (2008) added that Internet means
International Network. He also said that the network is made up of several
computers, which are connected or linked together for effective communication
worldwide. It enables companies, organizations, individuals, schools and
governments to share information across the world. Bassey (2003) also agreed
that the internet uses the World Wide Web (W.W.W) that enables users to access
documents in richly formatted texts and pictures, an millions of pages of
information of various kinds, such as; information about your hobbies,
information that will help you increase your professional knowledge, job
advertisement, weather forecast, flight information, information on lucrative
business, sport information, newspapers etc. Access to using the internet is
guaranteed by subscribing and connecting to an Internet Service Provider
(I.S.P) through a Modulator Demodulator (MODEM). Once you subscribe to an I.S.P,
you can use any browser (software for searching for information such as
Internet Explorer and Netscape) to view and interact with the web pages. Bassey
further said that the internet is like an electronic city with many libraries,
stores, business offices, vendors’ stand, shops and so on, thereby making the
whole world a “global village”.
The use of internet as a facility
has transgressed all sphere of human endeavour, such as medicine, military,
politics, banking and most significantly education. Recent observation of
internet use shows that these popularity of internet is based on the services
intent is used for as internet services they include:
-
Interactive Mobile/Video Lecture.
-
Surfing the net
-
Electronic Mail Services
-
Teleconference Service
-
Internet Banking
-
Telephone Services
Kavanagh (2004) said interactive video
lectures is interactive and useful for students. He asserted that the growing
impact of I.T. on learning could lead to changes in the structures and the way
courses are delivered in tertiary institutions. He added that the growth in
student numbers means many institutions are finding their lecture facilities
in-adequate hence the need for live lectures through video recording delivered
through large, wall mounted display.
Omigie (2009) posited that Surfing the
net is an act or process of searching for information on the internet. This is
as, there exist millions of pages of information. Surfing allows access to any
kind of information as long as such information is on net. The researcher describes
the internet as an “Electronic World Library”, or an “Electronic Village with
all kinds of shops”. The process by which you move from one of these “shops” to
another or move from “shelf” in search of information in the electronic library
is called Browsing or Surfing.
Another internet services is the
Electronic Mail Services also known as e-mail, Bassey (2003) saysis a method of
sending and receiving mails (messages) electronically. E-mails are convenient,
faster, cheaper and safer than the postal services often referred to as “snail
mail”. Interestingly, Davis (2004) said teleconference services refers to a
meeting conducted by use of telephone or cell phones without requiring
attendees to be physically present in the same physical area. It is usually of
a business nature and may require a facilitator of party leader to lead the
meeting. He added that video conferencing tools can keep kids in school.
Interestingly, Hussein et al (2011)
observed that Internet banking, is the same as online banking or virtual
banking which is an electronic payment system that enables customers of a bank
or other financial institution to conduct a range of financial transaction
through the financial institutions website. While telephone services by Felix
Okoro (2004) is an online voice conversation between two persons using Internet
Telephone facilities.
Kwesiga (2002) approved that academic
performance of students is also influenced by the school in which they studied
but he also said that the number of facilities of school offers usually
determine the quality of the school which in turn affect the performance and
accomplishment of its students. Also, Crosne and Elder (2004) noticed that
school provision of facilities and access to resources such as computer and
internet facilities enhances students academic performance ,adding that
Academic Performance is the outcome of education to the extent to see a
student, teacher or institution has achieved their educational goals. Therefore
the outcome of education is the extent to which a student has achieved his
educational goals.
Bossaert Doumen (2011) said an
undergraduate degree (also called first degree, bachelor’s degree or simply
degree) is a colloquial term for an academic degree taken by a person who has
completed undergraduate courses. It is usually offered at an institution of
higher education, such as a university. The most common type of this degree is
the bachelor’s degree, which typically takes at least three or four years to
complete.
Polytechnics play a
vital role in the educational, scientific and technological progress of
Nigeria. They are established to train and produce the technical manpower
necessary for the execution of the Nation’s development plans, goals and
strategies
The internet is a worldwide network
of inter-connected computer networks (commercial academic and government) that
operates using a standardized set of communication protocols called TCP/IP
(transmission control protocols/internets protocols) or the internet protocol
suite.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Much has been said by authorities in
the field of education about the falling standard of education. Researchers
have attributed various reasons for this fall. In this age of internet
facilities, it is observed that not much has been done to harness the
potentials of internet library facilities in rescuing the situation.
Internet is made up of millions of
computer linked together around the world in such a way that information can be
accessed from any computer or device, irrespective of the location. It is
observed by the researcher that even at this positive attributes of internet,
coupled with increase capital investment on hardware and software by
government, for the educational system, the use of internet by students in
tertiary institution for academic purpose is still low and in most cases
non-existent. It is in view of this that the study tries to examine the use of
library internet services as well as importance and benefits of the library
internets in increasing the academic performance of undergraduates in
polytechnics.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The
primary objective of the study is to assess the use of internet services in
libraries by undergraduate student. However the specific objectives are to;
1. Find out the library internet services
available in the polytechnic libraries
2. Study how accessible the library
internet services are in the polytechnic libraries
3. Find out the frequency of use of
library internet services by undergraduate students
4. Examine the purpose of use of library
internet services by undergraduate students.
5. Examine the influence of use of library
internet services on academic performance of undergraduates’ student in
polytechnics.
1.4 Research Questions
1. What are the library internet services
available in the polytechnic libraries?
2. What is the level of accessibility of
library internet services in polytechnic libraries?
3. What is the frequency of usage of
library internet services by undergraduate students in polytechnic library?
4. What is the purpose of using library
internet services by undergraduate students in polytechnics?
5. What is the influence of the use of
library internet services on academic performances of undergraduate students in
polytechnics?
1.5 Scope of the Study
This study is limited to
undergraduate students (library users) in Polytechnics in Edo State. All other
forms of tertiary institutions will not be included in this study. Similarly,
this study is investigating the use of Internet Services, by undergraduate
students while other library services will be excluded from the study.
1.6 Significance of the Study
It is hoped that the findings of
this study will be of significance to librarians in polytechnics as it will
help them to understand the importance of library internet services. Also, it
is hoped that the findings will be of benefit to the undergraduate students in
polytechnics as this will showcase the importance of library internet services
to their study and academic output. Similarly it is hoped that it will be of
benefit to other researchers and scholars in librarianship as this will serve
as a reference material.
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms
i. Internet
Search Engine: This is a software system that is designed to search for
information on the World Wide Web. It is generally presented in a line of
results often referred to as search engine result pages (SERPS)
ii. Internet:
This is also known as Net. It is a worldwide system of computer networks
that connects millions of computers together globally for communication.
iii. Polytechnic:
This is an institution of higher education offering courses at degree level or
below, especially in vocational subjects.
iv. Surfing:
This is the activity of moving from site to site on the internet.
v. Undergraduate:
This is used to refer to a student that has not yet obtained a first degree.
vi. Library
Services: This refers to all such services that are provided by the library
to its users.
vii. Library
Users: These are the persons that visits the library with the purpose of
exploiting it resources to satisfy his information need.
viii. Internet
Service: This allows us to access huge amount of information such as text,
graphics, sound and software over the internet. A system must be connected to
the worldwide web (www) before you can access the net.
ix. Academic Performance: This is the
outcome of Education- the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has
achieved their educational goals.
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