INFLUENCE OF INTERNET ON INFORMATION ACQUISITION AMONG STUDENT

 Abstract

The use of the Internet in education is gradually gaining prominence in our higher educational institutions. As students are active users of the Internet, it is believed that they utilize the Internet for their academic pursuit. This study explores and investigates the Influence of the Internet on Information Acquisition among Students of Bayero University, Kano during the 2012-2013 Academic Session. However, as the Internet is seen to be a somewhat troublesome media, Social Cognitive Theory underpinned this study giving prominence in understanding how students can self-regulate the use of new media especially the Internet and perform a particular cause of action at a time. Furthermore, the study investigated the extent to which the Internet influences the students of Bayero University, Kano and what use the information from the Internet is put to. The qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in gathering data and conclusions for this study based on frequencies and their equivalent percentages

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

There is growing concern about the potential effect of Internet use on students. Studies on Internet use and reading variables among students are not commonplace. The rapid growth of the Internet over the years has emerged as the foremost source of disseminating information quickly to a large audience, transcending the limitation of time and space. Basically, one could logically argue that the Internet offers two main benefits: Communication and Information. Information disseminated via the Internet has implications for how it is used in education. Since students are among the popular users of information from the Internet, the development of the Internet would be meaningless if it is not used appropriately in tertiary institutions. However, in spite of the benefits of the Internet for education and learning, there is a growing concern as to whether the increasing number of hours spent by students who surf the Internet, limits the amount of time and effort devoted to the actual reading and studying of the materials obtained from or outside the Internet. Communication is today more sophisticated and efficient with the advancement of technological support in the world. Pierce (1972) opines that communication is not the only essence of being human but also a vital property of life: Meanwhile, Fleming (2014) defines Communication as the act of conveying information for the purpose of creating a shared understanding. The word communication comes from the Latin word communis, meaning to share, and it includes verbal, non-verbal and electronic means of human interaction. Humans convey information through a variety of methods: speaking, telephones, email, blogs, Television, art, hand gestures, facial expressions, body language and even social contexts. Communication can occur instantaneously in closed, intimate settings or over great periods of time in large public forums, like the Internet. Now the student select information according to their interest and needs and believe in which they can contribute into content and share their opinions. Therefore, the technology convergence helped dying news sources and alive them again through news media like e-versions of newspapers, radio podcasts, online TV etc. Similarly the role of state fourth pillar is being undermined by new media. On this background the researcher wants to investigate the influence of internet on information acquisition among student

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Various studies had found excessive use of internet among students. Initially internet was found a vehicle for socialization and communication. But later internet drastically dominated news domain. The gradual use of internet for information acquisition is growing, particularly after using the internet for political mobilization. Youth and university students were found heavier user of internet, therefore, this study aimed to explore preference of internet on information acquisition among student.