Introduction
The Internet is the biggest innovation after the inception of industrial revolution. The phenomena have opened up vast and immeasurable opportunity and potentials. It has changed corporate culture, business operational modalities and has provided a level platform for the people to operate. The Internet has impacted on nations economically, educationally and socially that they describe it as evolutionary agent of change. The world has become a global village where people can meet, discuss, share ideas, buy and sell in a matter of seconds. The internet impact has been tremendous in the world generally. It allows students to broaden their academic experience, access information and communicate to others within any academic community (Tella, 2007). The Internet has created opportunities for storing, organizing, accessing and disseminating information in ways and methods hitherto unknown.Using a standard web browser, for example, students can easily access academic information such as course schedules, grades, unofficial transcript, and search for courses that they are interested in pursuing. Additionally, they can communicate with their classmates and faculty members during leisure. Leisureis one’s discretionary time spent in non-compulsory activities, time spent away from cares and toils. Because leisure is free from compulsory activities, such as education, employment, running a business, household chores and other such day-to-day stresses, not including eating and sleeping, it’s often referred to as ‘free time’(Encarta, 2009).
Concept of Internet and Internet Services
The Internet, according to Wells (2000), is a computer mediated communication tool, providing the individual with access to a broad spectrum of information and unique communication technologies. The Internet allows students to broaden their academic experiences, access important information, and communicate to others within any academic community. The Internet is a valuable source of information used by students in projects and assignments.
Internet services refers to the means by which users connect to the Internet. According to Wikipedia (2006), common methods of Internet access include dial-up, landline over coaxial cable, fiber optic and copper wire. Internet can be accessed in the following places: libraries, Internet cafes, and various places where computers with internet connections are available.
Taking University of Uyo for example, students are to access the Internet after official lecture hours. This is to avoid their leaving their valuable time to “play” on the Internet. Meanwhile, the University of Uyo authority has installed e-library facilities which are made available to students at all time (Post Graduate students’ handbook, 2007).
Comparison of users with dial-up access in Nigeria indicates that users engage in greater variety of online activities, spend more time online, and create more Internet content. Today, Internet plays a vital role in the research, teaching and learning process. It is assumed that students feel more independent on the Internet for their class assignments and get the latest information on specific subject areas than conventional information resources.
The Internet provides several platforms for flexible learning situations. The options for individual or institution include the following: visual or spatial learning where learning is done using graphical images and 3D models of objects. Internet technologies that support this type of learning include the World Wide Web and all its images, and 3D modelling languages such as VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language), musical and sound learning which is the ability or preference to use music and sound to understand educational material. This form is supported by downloadable sound files on WWW and real time on-demand audio. Another is the intra-personal learning which involves learning by encouraging or requiring students to understand their own feelings, Internets, goals, etc. Internet technologies that support this type of learning are interactive questionnaires on WWW or downloadable multimedia applications (also known as applets). The Inter-personal learning method is also available. Here learning is done by discussing with others. Internet technologies that support this type of learning include text, audio and video conferencing, e-mail, discussion mailing lists, newsgroups. Finally, learning could also be linguistic-based and mathematic-based:here, learning is by understanding words and language and reading; as well as by the user seeking to understand mathematics. Internet technologies that support these types of learning include gopher, lynx (a text-based WWW browser); and new formatting methods that can be used to display mathematical questions on the WWW respectively.
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