THE ROLE OF INTERNET COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN PUBLIC ORGANIZATION IN NIGERIA
Abstract:
The information and communication technology revolution is comprehensive through the world and the storm has even caught up with developing countries like Nigeria and Ghana. Information and communication technologies have facilitate easy access to highly valuable and massive amount data that aid the teaching, learning and research activities in an academic background through online learning facilities and other corresponding ICT facilities. The study investigates the use of Information and communication technology in public organizations with a particular reference to Nigerian university. The study tries to know what type of information and communication technology facilities are available in the university, the main outline of usage of information and communication technology and finally conclude to what scope the potential clients are aware of the availability of various Information and communication technology facilities in the university library. A survey was conducted using questionnaire as the research instrument with closed ended questions. The questionnaire was distributed to both learners and instructors in the university. The current study find that only few clients uses information and communication technology often notwithstanding making their academic work easier and more useful. Due to high number of the student population, financial issues and other partialities, the students choose to go to business centres inside the university instead of going to university library for their assignments, researches and other projects. Nevertheless the occurrence of ICT facilities must be acknowledge but the student lack awareness toward the available facilities freely accessible within the university library. Also, the clients acknowledge the encouraging impact of these facilities on teaching, learning and other research activities. The study further recommend that information technologies of the university should be improved to meet the global standard in properties to facilitate capable teaching and learning in an academic background and also as a matter of urgency the university management should create awareness of the general public of the availability of ICT in the university. The university management would companion with private business centres within university premises and give them better and enable environment since they also contribute greatly to the academic environment. There is an essential need for placement of both staffs and students the available, purposes and use Information and communication technologies so that the available facilities will be fully developed and standby generator or new modern solar system should be provided to the university library to avoid power outage.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
The information and communication technology revolution is comprehensive through the world and the storm has even met up with developing countries like Nigeria and Ghana. Information and communication technologies have introduced new techniques of teaching and conducting research and have been brought into education facilities for online learning, teaching and research collaboration. While some university communities in some countries enjoy free or cheap Internet access, students and faculty/staff in Nigeria must pay for time spent accessing the Internet, whether at a cyber café or in the library (although the library offers a discount). To improve ICT services in the library, hence, researchers need to show how students and faculty/staff are using the Internet in the academic environment. University administration at many Nigerian universities see information and communication technologies as necessary in the progression of learning and teaching. Information and communication technologies have given rise to new modes of organizing the educational environment in schools and new perceptions in the teaching progression as well as the adapting of the roles played by the participants in the educational process. According to Ojedokun and Owolabi (2003) teachers in the developing world will have to change their teaching styles and acquire Internet skills as new technologies transform classrooms over the next 20 years. Teachers will need to learn innovative skills to teach students how to search for and use information from the Internet safety issues. Internet’s apparently infinite information offers access to up-to-date research reports and global knowledge (Nwokedi, 2007) so it has become an important factor of electronic services in academic institutions. Hence, the Internet has become an important tool for learning, teaching and research (including collaborative research) in Nigeria
Statement of the Problem
Information and communication technology (ICT) utilization has become an indispensable part of many university libraries around the world. It is being used to search for journal articles, to access reference materials, to conduct research and to send e-mail (Aina et al, 2010). When effectively utilized, it translate into efficient user service delivery, which in turn lead to improved access to information; enhanced educational development; improvement in the status of Nigerian libraries; digitization of local content and conservation of library space (Akanni, 2008).
However, when ICT is not utilized or inefficiently utilized, it will lead to inefficient and poor user service delivery; it will also affect the role of university libraries as sources of learning, education; innovation and research for social development, as well as vehicle of communication.
Users on the other hand will also suffer continuous frustrations as result of lack of ICT utilization, even when utilized; students who are not familiar with the routine of its utilization will be frustrated and anxious as well as exhibit avoidance behaviour (Okiy, 2010). University library users will further be discouraged from seeking assistance in the library for their academic needs. The implication is that students and other researchers would miss utilizing important information that could have made them better scholars. While others may abandon the library to patronize the cyber café in other to access information on the internet through other available websites for current academic resources.
Despite these benefits and the dangers of poor ICT utilization for user services in university libraries, to the best of the researcher’s knowledge, it appear that university libraries in Nigeria, specifically, federal university libraries in South East Nigeria are still at a minimal level of utilizing ICT in providing user services.
Although several scholars have written on the utilization of ICT in university library services, none have specifically directed their study to federal university libraries in South Eastern region of Nigeria. This research therefore is directed at determining the utilization of ICT in users services of federal university libraries in South Eastern Nigeria, with specific focus on the examination of the availability of ICT facilities; extent of ICT utilization, users perception of benefits derived; problems associated with ICT utilization and strategies in containing the problems associated with ICT utilization in users services of university libraries
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This study aimed to achieve the following objectives:
- Are the staff and students aware of the Internet resources?
- How often do they use these resources
- For what purpose do they use Internet resources?
- What is the perceived usefulness of the Internet to staff and students?
Research Questions
This study aimed to achieve the following objectives:
- Are the staff and students aware of the Internet resources?
- How often do they use these resources?
- For what purpose do they use Internet resources?
- What is the perceived usefulness of the Internet to staff and students?
Scope of the Study
Role Of Internet Communication Technology In Public Organization In Nigeria ( A Study Of Nigerian University)
Significance of the Study
It is expected that the findings of this study when completed will be useful to practicing librarians by exposing them to know the type of ICT competencies they need to possess in order to perform optimally in the profession and develop their competencies in such area of ICT’s.
It will also assist Curriculum Developers to provide useful information about the type of professional training required by modern information workers. This will help them to plan a rich academic course content that will incorporate ICT competency training programmes.
The findings may motivate University Authority to provide the required quantity and quality of ICT facilities that will enhance teaching and learning .This will also give trainers and educators in the library school a re-direction on focused areas of training and also help them to develop their own competencies on such areas. And the library users will benefit from this because if the library staff are well trained, they will render better services to the users.
It will also contribute to existing body of knowledge in the area of library and Information studies that will be beneficial to future workers/researchers in the field of library and information science.