Impact of Internet Usage on the Academic Performance of Students in Nigeria

Impact of Internet Usage on the Academic Performance of Students in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The recognized potential of technology to improve education has led to several initiatives to foster effective use and integration in the curriculum. The Internet as a new technology holds the greatest promise humanity has known for learning and universal access to quality education. In the light of these therefore, this study examined undergraduates’ use of the Internet and its implication on their academic performance at the University of Ilorin. 200 undergraduate students from twenty systematically selected departments formed the study sample. Research questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. The data collected was analyzed using the simple statistics and chi-square (X2) tests. The results indicate that: The results reveal that Internet contributes significantly to academic performance of the respondents. The results from this study also show that there is a significant relationship between Internet and academic performance of students with Internet access. The study concludes that, the Internet is of great advantage for knowledge acquisition by serving as an alternative to scarce and outdated books.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS PAGE

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 9

1.3 Objective of the Study 9

1.4 Research Questions 9

1.5 Basic Assumptions 10

1.6 Significance of the Study 10

1.7 Scope and Delimitations of the Study 11

1.8 Abbreviations and Definitions of Operational Terms 11

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW OF PREVIOUS STUDIES

2.1 INTRODUCTION 13

2.2 Conceptual Framework 13

2.3 Access to Internet and Preferred Location of Internet Use 16

2.4 The Use of Internet Services 18

2.5 Frequency of Internet Use 25

2.6 Internet Access and Academic Performance 27

2.7 Challenges Encountered in the Use of Internet Facilities 33

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION 36

3.2 Research Design 36

3.3 Population of the Study 36

3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure 37

3.5 Research Instruments 37

3.6 Data Collection Procedure 38

3.7 Method of Data Analysis 38

3.8 Summary 38

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

OF RESULTS

4.1 INTRODUCTION 39

4.2 Demographic Data of Respondents 39

4.3 Answers to Research Questions 41

4.3.1 Answers to Research Question 1 41

4.3.2 Answers to Research Question 2 42

4.3.3 Answers to Research Question 3 43

4.3.4 Answers to Research Question 4 44

4.3.5 Answers to Research Question 5 45

4.3.6 Answers to Research Question 6 46

4.4 Major Findings 47

4.5 Discussion of Results 47

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

5.1 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………….50

5.2 Summary…………………………………………………………….50

5.3 Recommendations……………………………………………………50

5.4 Conclusions…………………………………………………………..51

5.5 Suggestions for further studies………………………………………52

BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………….53

LIST OF TABLES

PAGE

Table 1: Students Responses according to Level of Study 39

Table 2: Sex Distribution of Students 40

Table 3: Frequency of Internet Use 41

Table 4: Most frequent Preferred Location of Internet Usage 42

Table 4: Purpose for Browsing the Internet 43

Table 5: Most Used Internet Service 44

Table 6: Influence of Internet on Students’ Academic Performance…45

Table 7: Problems Encountered in the Use of Internet Services