ASSESSMENT OF THE UTILIZATION OF INTERNET SERVICES AMONG STUDENTS IN FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS IN KADUNA STATE

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 andaccess globally. Information and knowledge disseminated through the slow process of oralcommunications or with paper materials can now be transferred rapidly from an individual to an infinitenumber of users through a number of media and formats. The Internet is the fastest growingcommunication technology and has emerged as a major source of information that connects people, dataand 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 ofcomputer plasma. Technically and functionally, Hargittai (1999) defined the Internet as a worldwidenetwork of computers, and a network of people using computers that make vast amounts of informationavailable. Amichai-Hamburger and Hayat (2010) described the Internet as the creation of a continuousstream of computers linked together to form one grid, which enables interaction among hundreds ofmillions of people browsing the net.

Whereas the television revolution reached 50 million viewers in 13 years, the same feat was attained inonly four years by the Internet (Molosi, 2001). Yunus and Khayal (2000) posited that if there is only oneforce that is transforming people’s lives and that holds promise to deliver tumultuos impact in the future, itis Internet. To underscore the increasing reliance on the Internet, Huttner (2007) posited that without theInternet, planes would not fly, financial markets would not operate, supermarkets would not restock, taxeswould 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. TheInternet serves as a useful tool in support of the various educational activities that ranged from researchto teaching. Anderson and Reed (1998) noted that the Internet technology and computers has made itpossible 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-demographiccharacteristics. Thus, the Internet is a vital tool that will propel University education to greater heights asthe world move further into the knowledge-based economy.

Universities worldwide now invest a lot on intenet access because it reduces the time between theproduction and utilization of knowledge; improves co-operation and exchange of ideas with fellowresearchers in other institutions, regions or countries, furthers the sharing of information; and promotesmultidisciplinary research. Bon (2007) states that the Internet can substitute for expensive hardcopylibraries, by availing students’ access to scholarly information resources. Today, survival in academicswithout the Internet is hardly imaginable. The Internet has found useful applications in online datarepositories, library catalogues, journals, news services, student and financial administration systems,online supported or solely online conducted teaching, as well as in digital communication with fellowstudents 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 andstudents at educational institutions is worthwhile when one considers the ubiquitous and all pervasivecommunications tool features of the Internet. Consequently, studies have been carried out in many placesto understand how University students use the Internet, the purposes for which the students use theInternet, 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. Chanand Fu (2009) noted that Internet searching helps university students to boost their intellectualdevelopment 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 clientshave better access to the information.

Lyon (1998) states that Internet connections now constitute ahighly visible service in every library and that the librarians and their clients have embraced it in their dailywork. Academic libraries now run information literacy courses to educate faculty members and studentson skills to access, retrieve and evaluate information resources from the Internet. Qunqing (2004) referredto 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 studyfocuses 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

1. To appraise the relevance of  internet services in academic  higher institution
2. To determine the challenges in internet usage among students of higher institution
3. 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

1. Itshall  provide useful information on internet facilities for research and academic purposes.

1.6       STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

  1. H0:there is no effective utilization of internet services by students of federal higher institutions in Kaduna state.

H0: there is effective utilization of internet services by students of federal higher institutions 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: there is no significant impact of internet services on education in federal institutions in Kaduna state.

H1: there is a significant impact of internet services on education in federal institutions in Kaduna state.

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 ofcomputer 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.

REFERENCES

Agwubike, C.C. (1986). The place of professional teachers in

vocational subjects. Benin; Barloz Publishers inc.

Ajala, A.A. (1991). The utilization of school resources in teaching

of agriculture in the secondary schools: A paper presented

at a National workshop held at Enugu State University of

Science and Technology, Enugu, July 14th – 17th.

Ajayi, I. A. &Ekundayo, H.T. (2009).The application of

information and communication technology in Nigerian

secondary schools. International NGO Journal, 5 (2), 281-

286. Retrieved 6th of June, 2011 from http://www.academic

journals.org/NGO’s

Ajiwe, V. I. E. (2003). Progress in science and technology through

general studies. Onitsha: Adison Educational Publishers.

Akudolu, L.R. &Aniekwe, J.U. (2003).Evaluation of primary school

teachers’ use of information communication technology for

curriculum integrations. Unpublished Manuscript, Nnamdi

Azikiwe University, Awka.

Akuezilo, E.O. &Agu, N. (2002).Research and statistics in education and

social sciences: Methods and applications. Awka: Nuelcenti.

Allen, C.B. (2001). Neal-Schuman complete internet companion for

librarians. New York; Neal-Shuman Press.