INTERNET SERVICE PROVISION AS CORRELATE OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES USE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
The internet began with the development of Electronic Computers in 1960s. The public was first introduced to the concepts that would lead to the internet when message was sent over ARPANET from computer science professor Leonard Kleinrock’s laboratory at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), after the second piece of network equipment was installed at Stanford Research Institute. Packet Switched network such as ARPANET, Mark I at NPL in the UK, CYCLADES, merit network, Tymnet, and telnet, were developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s using a varieties of protocol. The ARPANET in particular lead to the development of protocols for internetworking, in which multi separate network could be joined together into a network of networks.
In 1982, the Internet Protocol suite (TCP/IP) was standardized, and consequently, the concept of a World Wide Network of interconnected TCP/IP networks, called the Internet, which introduced access to the ARPANET was expanded in 1981 when the National Science Foundation (NSF) developed and \the Computer Science Network (CSNET) and again in 1986 when NSFNET provided access to super computer site in the United States for research and education organisations. Commercial Internet Service Providers (ISPs) began to emerge in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The ARPANET was decommissioned in 1990. The internet was commercialised in 1995 when NSFNET was decommissioned removing the last restrictions on the use of the internet to carry commercial traffic.
Since the mid -1990s, the internet has had a revolutionary impact on culture and commerce, including the rise of near instant communication by electronic mail, instant messaging, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOLP) “phone calls”, the two ways interactive video calls, and the World Wide Web with its discussion forums, blogs, social networking, and online shopping sites. Research and education community continues to develop and use advanced networks such as NSF’s very high speed Backbone Network Service (vBNS), Internet2, and National LambdaRail. Increasing amount of data are transmitted at higher and higher speeds over fiber optic networks operating at 1-Gbit/s, 10-Gbit/s, or more. The Internet takeover the global communication landscape was always instant in historical terms: it is only communicated 1% percent of the information flowing through two way telecommunications networks in the year 1993, already 51% by 2000, and more than 97% of the telecommunicated information by 2007. Today the internet continues to grow, driven by ever great amounts of online information, commerce, entertainment, and social networking.
The Internet is a global network connecting millions of computers. More than 100 countries are linked into exchanges of data, news and opinions. According to internet World Stats, as at May, 2015 there was an estimated 3,267,651, 742 Internet users worldwide. According to New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the estimated numbers of Internet users in Nigeria stood at 83,362,814 million as at February, 2015. This represents 32.7% of the world’s population. Unlike online services, which are centrally controlled, the internet is decentralised by design: each Internet computer, called host, is independent. its operators can choose which Internet services to use and which local services to make available to the global Internet community. Remarkably, this anarchy by design works exceedingly well. There are varieties of ways to access the Internet. Most online services offer access to some Internet services. It is also possible to gain access through a commercial Internet Service Provider.
Internet has revolutionise the ways of learning, communication, education and research in universities, therefore undergraduates should be provided with Internet services to enhance their academic activities. Universities worldwide now invest a lot in Internet provision and access because it reduces the time between the production and utilisation of knowledge; improves co-operation and the exchange of ideas among fellow researchers in other institutions, regions or countries, furthers the sharing of information; and promotes multidisciplinary research. Bon (2007) states that the Internet can substitute for expensive hardcopy libraries, by availing students’ access to scholarly electronic information resources. Today, survival in academics without the Internet is hardly imaginable. The Internet has useful applications like; online data repositories, library catalogues, journals, news services, student and financial administration systems, online supported or solely online conducted teaching, as well as in digital communication with fellow students and lecturers, and open access which is the focus of this study, among others.
The internet emerged as the educational tool because and a good source of getting the right information and solutions to academic problems of students in higher institution of learning. Lyon (1998) states that Internet connections now constitute a highly visible service in every library and that the librarians and their clients have embraced it in their daily works. Academic libraries now run information literacy courses to educate faculty members and students on skills needed to access, retrieve and evaluate information resources from the Internet. Qunqing (2004) refers to the Internet as a large “encyclopedia” or “a library without walls” for its abundant information.
Bane and Milhemi (1995) described the Internet as the premier networks, everyone connected to, or as unmanaged web of computer 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) describe 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. The Internet is an educational tool with numerous potentials, it may be used to replace the traditional classroom lectures or supplement traditional instructional methods. The Internet enables students to communicate with other students across borders and thus, share their ideas, knowledge, experiences, and cultures (Lui, 1997).
In this age of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the use of the Internet has become the norm. Developing countries like Nigeria is not exempted from this trend. The craving for the Internet stems from its central role in ICT with access to free online journals, magazines, and other information resources anytime and from anywhere for academic and research purposes (Kode and Kode, 2003). Amichai-Hamburger and Hayat (2010) also 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 and accessing electronic resources.
With Internet service available and accessible, university students and faculty can obtain information which the library cannot provide from their shelves (Adomi, 2004). However, Adomi, (2004) stated that if Nigerian universities are unable to adopt and utilise the Internet as teaching and research resource, that there is the danger that the digital divide between the developed and developing countries will grow even wider. In addition, Chan and Fu (2009) noted that Internet searching helps university students to boost their intellectual development and job preparation. Among the major resources searched for and used by undergraduate students for academic activities is electronic resources which are only accessed through the use of internet.
Electronic resources also known as e-resources are accessed electronically and are on different subjects. Electronic Resources can be a bibliographic of full text database that allows you to search for relevant articles in your subject area. E-resources includes electronic journals, online databases (AGORA, JSTOR, EBSCOHOST, AJOL, HINARI), electronic books, locally loaded database, website, CD-ROM, electronic text, e-abstracting and indexing databases such as MEDLINE, e-news, e-images, e-music etc. These electronic resources are used mainly for reading and research purposes. Some of the electronic resources are in closed-access the institution concern pay for access fee to enable their student’s gain-access to the online resources.
Amori (2003) opined that e-resources such as e-journal, e-book, CD ROM databases, online databases and web-based resources when effectively utilised constitute an important input in the information services in libraries. They help in providing relevant information required by students, which if properly utilised can help in improving academic excellence. However, Ireyefoju (2002) stated that the provision of e-resources in the right quantity has been regarded as a major input required for high information services provision.
Before anybody can have access to the information resources in the internet, there are basic facilities such an individual must have. These includes, computer system with accessories, modulator/Demodulator (MODEM), Internet Service Provider (ISP), a browser software like Mozilla Firefox, Crazy browser, Internet Explorer etc. must be install in a computer, telephone connection and a computer with a good Pentium processor. In every society the internet is a global system that contributes in no small measure to studies and learning processes. For learning to take place, learners must have access to necessary information resources on the internet. They have access to the internet with tangible resources to ensure some level of performance. In any academic environment where the student studies, one of the main sources of information is the internet.
The internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the standard internet protocol (TCP/IP) to link several devices worldwide. It is an international network that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business and government packets switched networks linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies. 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-culture studies, solve school assignments, and enhance foreign language skills, and simply exchange ideas and studies with their peers. The Internet has become a global culture phenomenon; tens of millions of people have access to the system. However, Internet is not self-dependent but a network itself. One needs computer or enabled mobile phone to access the information and other multimedia resources through the internet. Therefore, because of the countless benefits gained from using the internet especially the educational value, schools now acquire computer systems with telecommunication tools to have access to the internet.
According to Ajayi (2013), Internet is the wire or wireless mode of communication through which one can receive and transmit information that can be used for simple or multiple information. Ajayi (2013) stated that Internet is a network of inter-linked computer network called worldwide network which is accessible by the general public. The internet carries an extensive range of information resources and services such as the inter-linked hypertext document and applications of the World Wide Web (WWW), the infrastructure to support email, and peer to peer networks for file sharing and telephony.
Students of higher learning especially those in the universities in the country Nigeria should be provided with internet services in other to make it easier for them to access electronic resources. The use of internet in education is indispensable; internet has been long recognised as a medium of information dissemination and education between individuals and their computers without geographical limitation or space. In education, users has access to wide variety of internet facilities, including electronic mail, file transfer, access to potential vast information resources, multimedia, breaking news and interactive collaboration. Also, in education internet makes available wealth of intellectual content in an electronic environment i.e. electronic environment which in turn improves educational research.
The Internet if provided in higher Institutions of learning create opportunity for students to connect to electronic resources. Internet access connects individual computer terminals, computers, mobile devices, and computer networks to the Internet, enabling users to access Internet services, such as email and the World Wide Web. Internet service providers (ISPs) offer Internet access through various technologies that offer a wide range of data signaling rates. Internet can be multi-dimensionally explained. Internet is a computer-based global information system. The internet is composed of many interconnected computer networks (Bane and Milheim, 1995). Each network may link tens, hundreds, or even thousands of computers, enabling them to share information and processing power. The Internet has made it possible for people all over the world to communicate with one another effectively and inexpensively. The invention of internet has led to the development of virtual library, other services in all facets of life, institutions and all human’ endeavours. The following services can be enjoyed via the internet, they are: sending and receiving e-mails, visiting websites, chatting, reading newspaper online, learning accessing the e-journals, databases, etc. it is not an exaggeration to say that the internet has become an invaluable tool for teaching, learning and research, etc (Ojedokun and Owolabi, 2003).
Moreover, Internet involves searching and probing for information which touches all human’s activities and is communicated in many ways which includes speech, picture, video, text etc. Therefore, for academics to achieve their noble ends of impacting and dissemination of information necessary for self, social economy and community development, Internet is important. Not only because of access to the required information but for effective performance in academics as well as other human and organisations endeavours. Adequate, timely and cost effective information has been generally recognized as contributing immensely to the effectiveness and efficiency of any organisation. A functional Internet relates to many advantages of the information systems. Recent developments in computer communication and networking technology have given new meaning to information retrieval systems. It has created a wall-less library where necessary information can easily be retrieved when desired. This has turned the whole world to a global community. Today, there is no doubt that information sharing is being achieved through network of networks. The information super high way is growing rapidly and it is connecting millions of people globally. Internet and information and communication have turned the whole world into a global village.
The Internet enables students to communicate with others ideas, knowledge, experience and cultures. The internet enhance skills and capabilities of students which assist them in studies and in professional life and also the internet has more information which is more readily available than any other source. The rapid growth in the use of the internet has revolutionised the flow of information in institution of higher learning worldwide. The internet has become an important component of electronic services in the academic institution and as permeated all aspect of life and does broken down barriers of communication and information access worldwide.
Undergraduates in Nigeria universities mainly access the internet through their mobile, phones, personal computer, cybercafé, university digital Centre and also the library while few accessed internet through the university server. According to Aderonke (2013), few undergraduate students access internet from the university digital Centre. This may be as a result of few numbers of available systems at the Centre; non access from the university library may also be as a result of library policy on use. This may also be the reason while majorly access internet through their mobile phones, laptops and cybercafé.
Before anybody can have access to the information resources in the internet, there are basic facilities to consider or must have, these includes, computer system with accessories, modulator/Demodulator (MODEM), Internet Service Provider (ISP), a browser software like Mozilla Firefox, Crazy browser, Internet Explorer etc. must be install in a computer, telephone connection and a computer with a good Pentium processor.
Electronic information sources can be seen as the most recent development in information technology and are among the most powerful tools ever invented in human history. Electronic information sources are becoming more and more important for the academic community (Kumar and Kumar, 2008). It is therefore, imperative for any university to ensure the provision of these electronic resources to facilitate academic activities within it which are only accessed through a stable and unfailing internet connection in the university. Internet is a powerful tool for any academic activities in this present world, as such University should internet provision or access so that students can connect to various and numerous electronic resources scattered on the Internet which will aid their academic activities.
1.2 Statement of the problem
The internet has changed and revolutionalises the way we communicate and share information; schools especially higher institution of learning have realise it usefulness and have adopted its use. Information is necessary for development and to make meaningful decisions, as such, students in the higher institution need to have access to current, latest and recent information. The provision of internet services within the institution is a cogent way by which students can access electronic resources. It is therefore, necessary that higher institution of learning as part of their functions should provide internet service to students to ease access to electronic resources to aid their academic activities.
Observations have showned that many higher Institutions of learning do not provide Internet services to students. Many reasons may be said as to why the internet is not provided to students mostly in the public higher institutions of learning but the question is, Are these reasons germane enough to affect the academic quality of the students who are the problem solver of tomorrow? Other questions to be asked are: what is the influence of internet provision of electronic information use among students? What are the challenges of providing internet services to students in higher institution of learning and how can these problems be solved. This and many other questions have prompted the study to investigate internet service provision as correlate of electronic information resources use among undergraduates of two universities in Southwest Nigeria.
- Objectives of the study
The main objective of the study is to investigate Internet service provision as correlates of electronic information resources use by undergraduates of two universities in Southwest Nigeria. The basic objectives however are to:
- identify the importance of the internet provision to undergraduates in the two universities;
- find out the mode of Internet provision to undergraduates in the two universities;
- investigate the various e-resources accessed by undergraduate in the two universities;
- determine the purpose for using e-resources by undergraduates in the two universities;
- identify challenges to internet service provision to undergraduates in the two universities.
- Research questions
The research seeks to answer the following questions:
- What is the importance of the internet provision to undergraduates in the two universities?
- How is the internet accessed by undergraduates in the two universities?
- What are the various e-resources accessed by undergraduate in the two universities?
- What is the purpose for using e-resources by undergraduates in the two universities?
- What are the challenges to internet service provision to undergraduates in the two universities?
1.5 Significance of the study
This study will help to identify the relevance of internets service provision to undergraduate students, it will also help to find out ways by which internet can be provided to undergraduate in higher institutions of learning.
The study will be of importance because it will help the university managements to know the various electronic resources accessed by undergraduates for their academic activities. The study will unravel the purposes for using electronic resources by undergraduates; also, it will help to identify challenges to internet services provision to undergraduate in the universities so the lasting solutions can be proffered.
Finally, this study would also provide opportunities for the students to develop a positive attitude towards the use of internet in order to find information for their academic activities.
1.6 Scope of the study
This study mainly focuses on Internet service provision and use of electronic information resources by undergraduate students in two private universities in Ede, Osun State. These universities: are Adeleke University and Redeemer University. Undergraduates are the focal point of the study because they need internet provision to carry out their academic activities and they are often times neglected in its provision in higher institutions of learning.