ABSTRACT
The findings revealed that internet eases download of related information for teaching and learning, it also help in accessing data bases that are not found in the library, it eases sending and receiving of mails and also eases exchange of study materials between researchers. It was also revealed that majority of the academics make use of internet daily. Internet is mainly used for academic purposes. The study also shows that university administration organizes free training for academics; there is provision of internet access point in offices. Academics encountered problems such as power outage, slow access speed, overload of information while using the internet. Academics in Babcock University make use of internet more than their counterpart in Obafemi Awolowo University. Hypothesis tested showed that there is a positive relationship between internet use and academic performance (r = .812, p< 0.05).
The study concluded that internet use is very important for the academics due to the benefits derived from it. The study recommends that facilities such as generating setand solar system should be acquired and put in place to ensure smooth using of the internet by the academics. Constant maintenance of the equipment, both internet and electricity supply should be put in place in order to serve it purposes. University administration should release funds from time to time in order to maintain the equipment properly. The university administration should organize regular workshop/ seminar on internet use and the lecturers encourage to attend in order to update their knowledge on the use of internet facilities for their academic responsibilities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Abstract v vi
List of Tables vii
List of Figures viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1:1 Background to the Study 3
1:2 Statement of the Problem 5
1:3 Objective of the Study 6
1:4 Research Question 6
1:5 Justification for the Study 7
1:6 Hypotheses 7
1:7 Scope of the Study 7
1:8 Operational Definition of Terms 8
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2:0 Introduction 9
2:1 Conceptual Clarification of internet 9
2:2 History of internet in Nigeria 10
2:3 History of Internet in Babcock University and Obafemi Awolowo University 13
2:4 Potential Benefits of the Use of Internet 14
2:5 Use of internet Facility/ Services and factors that hinders its
usage in Babcock University and Obafemi Awolowo University 16
2: 6 Internet Use and Academic Performance 17
2:7 Theoretical Framework 19
2:8 Internet Usage overview 15
2: 9 Gaps in Literature 23
Content page
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3:0 Introduction 25
3:1 Research Design 25
3:2 Population 25
3:3 Sample size and sampling Technique 26
3:4 Method of Data Collection 27
3:5 Sources of Data 27
3:6 Administration of Instrument 28
3:7 Validity and Reliability of Instrument 28
3:8 Method of Data Analysis 28
3:9 Ethical Consideration 29
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, RESULTS
AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4:0 Introduction 30
4:1 Presentation of Findings 30
4:2 Discussion of Findings 49
4:3 Testing of Hypothesis 52
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5:0 Introduction 50
5:1 Summary 50
5:2 Conclusion 51
5:3 Recommendations 51
5:4 Contribution to Knowledge 52
5:5 Limitation of the Study 52
5:6 Suggestion for Further Studies 52
Bibliography 52 Appendices 63
LIST OF TABLES
Table page
3.1 Institutions and sample size 18
4.1: Respondents’ Distribution by Institution 21
4.2: Respondents’ Distribution by Faculty 22
4.3: Respondents’ Distribution by Department 23
4.4: Respondents’ Distribution by Gender 24
4.5: Respondents’ Distribution by Age 25
4.6: Respondents’ Distribution by Academic Rank 26
4.7: Respondents’ Distribution by Teaching Experience 27
4.8.1: Purpose for the use of internet 28
4.8.2: Benefit(s) derive while using the internet 29
4.8.3: Influence of internet on academics 30
4. 9.1: How often academics use internet services 31
4.9.2: Frequency of internet use per week 32
4.9. 3: Most used internet services/facilities 33
4 .10: Factors that hinders the usage of internet 34
4.11.1: Roles university administration play in promoting ICT in institution 35
4:11.2: How often do you go for training 36
4.11.3: internet access in your office 37
4.12.1: Article(s) published prior to internet usage 38
4.12.2: Conference(s) attended prior to internet usage 41
4.12.3: Lesson notes prepared prior to internet usage 42
4.13. 1: Articles published with internet 43
4. 13.2: Conferences attended with internet usage 44
4.13.3: Lesson notes prepared with Internet usage 45
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
4.1: Respondents’ Distribution by Institution
4.2: Respondents’ Distribution by Faculty
4.3: Respondents’ Distribution by Department
4.4: Respondents’ Distribution by Gender
4.5: Respondents’ Distribution by Age
4.6: Respondents’ Distribution by Academic Rank
4.7: Respondents’ Distribution by Teaching Experience
4.8.1: Purpose for the use of internet
4.8.2: Benefit(s) derive while using the internet
4.8.3: Influence of internet on academics
4. 9.1: How often academics use internet services
4.9.2: Frequency of internet use per week
4.9. 3: Most used internet services/facilities
4 .10: Factors that hinders the usage of internet
4.11.1: Roles university administration play in promoting ICT in institution
4:11.2: How often do you go for training
4.11.3: internet access in your office
4.12.1: Article(s) published prior to internet usage
4.12.2: Conference(s) attended prior to internet usage
4.12.3: Lesson notes prepared prior to internet usage
4.13. 1: Articles published with internet
4. 13.2: Conferences attended with internet usage
4.13.3: Lesson notes prepared with the use of internet
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1:1 Background to the Study
Development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has made tremendous impact in the 21st Century and as such, travel around the globe just in a matter of seconds making communication easy and affordable. This is achievable through ICT hardwares like computers, scanners and digital cameras as well as software like standard office and specialist applications. These ICT resources in the teaching and learning environment has been found to be very central to access, spreading and dissemination of information on education and thus widely used by academic staff and students of tertiary institutions all over the world (Bede & Joy, 2014)
According to Joginder and Satya (2013), internet is a worldwide system of computer networks, a network of networks in which users at any computer can, if they have permission get information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to user at other computers). It is a network of millions of computers linked together through telephone lines and satellites all over the world. Internet began in 1969 as Advanced Research Project Agency Network (ARPANet) by the US Department of Defense to share military intelligence and research with university resources (Adomi, 2005). Later it was discovered that ARPANet was inadequate in the WANs (Wide Area Networks). This led to another research in 1973 to develop a suite of protocol for use. The outcome of that research effort gave birth to what is known as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
The internet use and accessibility got to Nigeria in 1991 when the e-mail services of the internet was introduced through dial- up to few users. Access to internet then was through Cyber Cafés connected to Internet Service Provider (ISPs) (Oluwaseyitanfunmi; Oluwasesin & Ebenezer, 2009). In 1995, the Regional Information Network for Africa (RINAF) commenced internet services at the computer science department of Yaba College of Technology, and through the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), in a collaborative effort with Rose Clayton Nigeria Limited (Adomi, 2005).The World Wide Web (WWW) became available in 1996 and its full access became obvious in 1998.
Before 1991, scholars were making use of library materials. Research at that time was difficult for the academic staff (Alfred, 2008; Young 1990). Researchers were faced with obstacles such as inadequate access to materials, insufficient time to search for materials etc. since the advent of internet in Nigeria, it has played vital role in teaching and learning environment as well as widen educational opportunities becoming the most powerful vehicle for accessing information (Kaur, 2006). This has therefore become a tool for interactive learning between the teacher and the student as well as conducting various forms of research which had aided performance in output of these academics (Kamba, 2007).
All along, the slogan “publish or perish” is popular and a reality among the academics. This idea has encouraged the academics to engage in serious research and search for scientific, correct and up-to-date information through the internet or visit the library that is capable of providing access to various data resources and online journals for their various users (Ogunrewo & Odusina, 2010). On this note, scholars have been exposed to the use of Internet right from their secondary school to tertiary institutions. Some of the knowledge acquired during the period has been helpful for academic activities. Among available search-engines for the purpose of academic work are Yahoo, Google, Opera mini, Alta vista, Netscape among others.