AN ASSESSMENT OF INTERNET USAGE AND ITS EFFECT ON THE READING CULTURE OF STUDENTS IN GOVERNMENT COLLEGE USING GOVERNMENT COLLEGE IBADAN AS A CASE STUDY

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to examine internet usage and its effect on the reading culture of students in government college using Government College Ibadan as a case study. The study is was specifically set to determine whether there is a significant relationship between Internet usage and reading culture of students, find out the extent of Internet usage among students of Government College Ibadan, and find out the impact of Internet usage on the reading culture of students of Government College Ibadan. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of teachers and students of Government College Ibadan. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 200 respondents and 150 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables and mean scores. While the hypotheses were tested using Pearson Correlation statistical tool, SPSS v23. The result of the findings reveals that there is a significant relationship between Internet usage and reading culture of students. Furthermore the study also revealed that the extent of Internet usage among students of Government College Ibadan is high. Therefore, the study recommends that Establishing, equipping and proper maintenance of school libraries as a means of improving the reading culture of the secondary school students should be highly considered and made a priority for all secondary schools. To mention but a few.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1: Background of the study

Reading is the springboard of any literacy program. It is one of the oldest habits of human civilization and has remained the passion of the greatest personalities of all times. According to Nnadozie and Egwim (2010), reading is a complex skill requiring the coordination of several interrelated sources of information. It is the art of interpreting printed and written words, and the most effective process of conscious learning, which influences the extent and accuracy of information as well as the attitudes, morals, beliefs, judgement and action of individuals (Edeole & Adejoke, 2016). However, due to the attitude of individuals who rarely pick a book or magazine to read, there is a serious decline in reading culture. The same applies to the school child for whom reading has come to mean a thing of spare time. Considering the place of creative thinking in reading, it becomes very important for one to develop the rudiments of reading and the culture of reading always. The importance of reading culture cannot be overemphasized because it is crucial for both personal and academic success. Furthermore, it is an aid to language development, socialization and civilization. The development of good reading culture is important because society has realized the importance of information and effective communication for the survival and exploitation of their environment. Moreover, the development of reading and reading culture are basic skills, which society must confer on its students as part of their childhood education. Unfortunately, there are problems inherent in the development of proper reading culture among students as a result of some technological innovations. One of the technological innovations is the Internet. The Internet can be broadly defined as a worldwide network of computers communicating through an approved protocol. The Internet according to Kumar and Kaur in Jibrin, Musa and Shittu (2017), has an unlimited wealth of information resources that are readily available and easily accessible for people to use worldwide and simultaneously. Internet is a veritable tool in learning, teaching and research if effectively used. However, it has been observed that owing to this technological innovation, reading culture is being threatened, especially, among teens and secondary school students. In Nigerian society today, while technology is slowly taking a steady control over individual lives, the reading culture among secondary school students is fast vanishing. Today, students rather than read to acquire new knowledge prefer to spend hours unending, surfing the net, playing with funky handsets, chatting and passing non-stop short message services (SMSs), thereby making reading a book or any other information resource in a quiet or peaceful corner of a library or home an archaic idea. The declining interest in reading among our children (especially those in secondary schools) compared to increase in hours spent on the Internet has become a cause for alarm and a challenge to all and something needs to be done to change the scenario. However, assuming or concluding that Internet use is the cause of the declining reading culture can be better regarded as an assumption until empirically proven. It is against this backdrop that the current study “internet usage and its effect on the reading culture of students in government college using Government College Ibadan as a case study, Nigeria’’ is necessitated.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Reading is an essential tool for lifelong learning. It does not only give learners an active place, but also places them in the centre of pedagogy and the curriculum (Corcoran and Evans, 1987). Reading is very powerful and indispensable equipment for learning and acquisition of the varied skills and experiences needed by man to develop a satisfactory personal life. It is important that pupils/students should develop positive habits towards reading of books as a life-long learning experience. Gradually, the advent of internet has led to the development of various applications for games and chatting which has continue to take students time leaving reading books as old fashioned.

Students are rarely interested in reading for pleasure and enjoyment instead they read only to pass examination. The declining interest in reading culture among our children (especially those in primary and secondary schools) is a cause for alarm and a challenge to all and something need to be done to alleviate this yawning problem. Unfortunately, reading is not taught or included in school curriculum. Reading is not a subject and cannot be taught separately as most other subjects in the curriculum rather it is subsumed in every other subject and is regarded as a tool facilitating many other types of learning. Nowadays, due to the rat race syndrome, parents pay little or no attention to their children's reading ability, parents themselves lack the skill and the culture of reading such that some do not read to their kids. However, the researcher is examining internet usage and its effect on the reading culture of students in government college using Government College Ibadan as a case study.

1.3 Objective of The Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine internet usage and its effect on the reading culture of students in government college using Government College Ibadan as a case study. Specifically, this study will;

1. Determine whether there is a significant relationship between Internet usage and reading culture of students.

2. Find out the extent of Internet usage among students of Government College Ibadan.

3. Find out the impact of Internet usage on the reading culture of students of Government College Ibadan.

1.4 Research Questions

The study was guided by the following research questions:

1. Is there a significant relationship between Internet usage and reading culture of students?

2. What is the extent of Internet usage among students of Government College Ibadan?

3. What is the impact of Internet usage on the reading culture of students of Government College Ibadan?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Ho: There is no significant relationship between Internet usage and reading culture of students.

Ha: There is a significant relationship between Internet usage and reading culture of students.

1.6 Significance of the Study

Internet addiction among students is currently a major cause of concern for parents, and guardians, as such finding the possible ways of addressing this poor reading culture of students which is inevitable for the betterment of education, therefore, the findings in this study are aimed at modifying students‟ behavior, particularly those of Government College Ibadan; to be conscious of the ample advantages and negative effects of excessive internet use, thus, imploring them to take advantage of the internet for their academic and general successes in life. The research findings is also aimed at assisting teachers in Government College Ibadan with substantive evidence and information in order that they may understand the salient reasons why students do not meet with their daily or weekly academic obligations such as completion of assignments and group works due to internet-addiction and poor reading habits. The outcome of this study is also hoped that parents or guardians of wards will be prompted on the reality that internet is among the most common sources of distraction on the commitment of their wards to learning.

1.7 Scope Of The Study

This study will focus generally on internet usage and its effect on the reading culture of students in government college using Government College Ibadan as a case study. Therefore the study will be delimited to Government College Ibadan.

1.8 Limitations Of The Study

As with any human endeavor, the researcher experienced small impediments while performing the study. Due to the scarcity of literature on the subject as a result of the discourse's nature, the researcher incurred additional financial expenses and spent additional time sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as during the data collection process, which is why the researcher chose a small sample size. Additionally, the researcher conducted this inquiry in conjunction with other scholarly pursuits. Additionally, because only a small number of respondents were chosen to complete the research instrument, the results cannot be applied to other secondary schools outside the state. Regardless of the limits faced throughout the investigation, all aspects were reduced to ensure the best outcomes and the most productive research.

1.9 Definition Of Terms

Internet: is a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.

Reading: Reading refers to the meaningful interpretation of visual and graphic symbols into ideals and concept.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

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