Challenges of Information and Communication Technology Among Students in Lagos State University, Ojo
Chapter One
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to examine the challenges in Utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by Students in Lagos state University.
The specific objectives are to:
Find out the ICT facilities available to students in the various Lagos state University;
- Ascertain the extent to which students‟ utilize ICT facilities in university libraries;
- Determine the level of ICTs skills of students of the various Universities under study;
- Find out challenges encountered by students using ICT facilities of these Universities;
- Identify the strategies that could solve the problems and enhance the effective utilization of ICTs in these Universities.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Framework
Overview of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is an umbrella term that embraces three major terms: Information, Communication and Technology stands out. Utulu (2008) opined that, “the term Information and Communication Technology (ICT) evolves from Information Technology (IT) when the processing of information with electronic technology integrated with telecommunication technology‟‟. ICT and Information Technology (IT) are similar concepts that can be used interchangeably. IT implies tools used for communication and therefore it becomes obvious that the two terms are synonymous and can be applied in the delivery of Library services. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can also be viewed as composite term, which embodies three important concepts:
- Information
- Communication
- Technology
To understand ICT, one must understand all the above listed three concepts. The term “Information‟‟ is an elusive term that means many things to many people, depending on the context. Scientifically, information is a processed data. Information, though abstract, could also be visualized as a commodity, which could be bought or sold (Womboh et al 2008).
The term Information and Communication Technologies could refer to the convergence of interests between electronics, computing and telecommunications- all of which lead to the rapid development of microelectronics. According to Osuagwu (1999), Information and Communication Technology refers to the convergence of microelectronics, telecommunications and computer.
These definitions, bring to the limelight the position occupied by computer telecommunication in the business of ICTs. The components of Information and Communication Technology, therefore, include the following: computer systems, communication systems (Telecommunications, Telephone, Satellites, Telex, Fax, E- mail, Facsimile, Internet, Video Text, and Document Delivery), Reprographic Systems (Micrographic Electronic Copiers, Word Processing) Microwave systems (Radio, television)
Access to information is fundamental to good academics performance of ITCs to enable the academic community access and use information more easily and faster is therefore a priority in libraries. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) has over the years given definitions in plethora of literature. The American Library Association (1983) defined Information Technology (IT) as the application of computers and other related technologies to the Acquisition, Organization, Storage, Retrieval and Dissemination of information.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODS
Research Design
The design adopted for this study is a descriptive survey. This design is chosen for this study because a descriptive survey research is fact-finding in nature. It focuses on selective dimension of a phenomenon and measures them in a systematic and precise manner, (Eboh, 2009). It is appropriate for this research because this study is set out to identify and describe the Utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by Students in Lagos state University.
Area of the Study
The area of the study is Lagos state University.
Population
The entire population of One hundred and fifty (150) comprises of students.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION OF DATA
Research Question 1: Which of the following ICT facilities are available in the university libraries?
Table 1: Respondent’s view on availability of ICT facilities to students in various universities in north-central zone
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Discussion and Interpretation of the findings:
The findings of the study shown in table 1 revealed that, most of the ICT facilities are available in the various university libraries understudied. They include Computers, Magnetic Disk, Floppy Disk, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, Printers, Scanners, Monitors, Speakers, Plotters, Photocopiers, Microfilms, Telephone Lines, Television, E-Mail and World Wide Web (www). Also, networks such as LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network) and Internet network facilities were available to the respondents. Though, some of the facilities available in these libraries are not functional, only digital cameras, Telex, Facsimiles and Teleconferencing are not available. This agrees with Dirisu (2009) who posited that, ICT facilities available in academic libraries are Computers, Microforms, Photocopiers, CD-ROM, Databases, Videotapes, Audiotape, Internet and Printers. Anunobi (2005), in a study on ICT availability and use in Nigerian university libraries found that, majority of the libraries have personal computers and that CD-ROM, LAN, Internet are of average usage while WAN, FAX and OPAC are not widely available. The finding negates the study by Edem, (2007) which indicates that computer/Internet was not extensively used by librarians and the level of use was very low.
Research question two was intended to find out the extent at which students utilize ICT facilities in university libraries. From table 3, it is observed that the mean score of the respondents on these ICT facilities mentioned were more than the 2.50 criterion mean indicating that, ICT facilities such as Storage Devices, Output Devices and Telecommunication facilities were utilized. This is in line with the findings of Edem (2007) who in a study on the use of ICTs in selected university libraries found that, majority of respondents use computers for word processing and Internet search. This also corroborates Gama (2008) that ICT facilities can be used for different purposes such as academic, leisure or fun etc. A user for instance may use Internet for fun apart from academic purposes.
Findings from the study as revealed in the table 4 indicate that, the students claimed to have possessed all skills listed. The students possess all the skills to a very great extent in areas of sending e-mail, opening/browsing a web page, Internet surfing skill and word processing program than the others. However, in skills like typing, scanning, printing, photocopying/cyclostyling, downloading/saving a webpage, computer networking, web- linking trouble-shooting, database program, spreadsheet program and Internet program records an above average mean rate. Skills in Web design, Project management software, desktop publishing program, graphic program, statistical analysis program and Computer language programming program records a minimal mean rate less than the 2.50 benchmark.
Challenges of the effective use of ICT facilities by students in the university libraries
From the result of the study as presented in table 5 and aimed at identifying the factors militating against the effective use of ICT facilities by students in the university libraries, the following factors were identified: lack of ICT facilities, lack of funds, lack of capacity/competence, inadequate and epileptic power supply, high tariff in telecommunication/computer importation in the country, inadequate number of effective Internet Service Provider (ISP),lack of policy framework on ICTs in the country and lack of ICT centres in the university and the nation at large.
Strategies for improvement of ICTs usage by students in the universities
On the proffered solutions to the problems and strategies for improvement of ICT usage by students in the universities, the respondents as shown in table 6 adopted most of the strategies suggested ranging from proper ICT seminars/workshops in the universities; provision of sufficient ICT facilities; provision of grants and aids by the government and universities; staff training and orientation; government support on provision of stable power supply; reduction of telecommunication/computer importation tariffs; provision of adequate and effective Internet service provider and more cyber cafes; the National Information Technology Policy to be revised and establishment of National Research Centre for ICT.
Recommendations
In view of the implications of the findings on effect of ICTs on students in the various universities studied, the following measures were recommended.
The study recommends that ICT facilities should be made available and accessible to students in the universities since ICTs were greatly affecting the ways learning and research activities were been carried out in academic institutions.
There is need to place a high premium/priority on application of ICTs in the services of university libraries.
Students should be encouraged to utilize ICTs based presentation formats like Microsoft power point, Microsoft excel, CorelDraw, Microsoft access, statistical analysis, and computer programming languages to present their academic activities.
Government should show more commitment to our universities and to the development of an ICT base in the country by making available special ICT grants to Universities and students on an annual basis. Universities should supplement power supply for effective use of ICTs.
More cyber cafes with effective and efficient Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to be set up and located closer to student hostels for convenience and be equipped with needed ICT facilities. Universities should also meet the ICT training needs of the library staff and students through sponsorship of workshops, seminars, conferences and orientations.
Conclusion
ICT facilities are crucial to information processing and retrieval in the present day libraries especially in an academic environment. This trend has continued to transform the pattern and scope of library services. ICT skills are also required of students and staff of academic institutions in order to benefit maximally and to be able to handle the facilities and process information effectively.
This study has attempted to evaluate the status, importance, challenges and strategies for effective utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by students in Lagos state University. Findings from the study have shown that, most of the ICT facilities are available in the university libraries in North- Central zone of Nigeria. The study revealed that, most of the ICT skills were also found to be possessed by students and some library staff though not to a very large extent. The study suggested that, government and institutions of higher learning should subsidized ICT training and encourage staff; government should improve on power supply; ICT facilities should be made available in the libraries for effective and efficient service delivery and more attention should be given to funding of ICT programmes. Libraries should source funds internally for ICT projects among others to sustain this global trend. In order to achieve effective ICT project in university libraries in Nigeria, adequate attention must be given to strategies and recommendations suggested in this study.
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