Reading and Internet Use Activities of Undergraduate Students of the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Students’ learning in the digital age depends on both adequate search for learning materials through Internet use activities, and adequate reading and study of the materials. Nevertheless, a lack of balance between the amount of time and effort devoted by students to reading and Internet use activities could affect negatively their learning achievement. This study explored the patterns of and relationships between reading and Internet use activities of undergraduate students of the University of Calabar, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design and the random sampling technique were used to administer 200 copies of a designed questionnaire to the
undergraduate students of the university who used the university library during April 2009. Of these, 133 usable copies were returned, for
a response rate of about 65%. Results showed that the students appreciated the importance of reading to their academic achievement, and were also highly aware of the importance of the Internet for the timely acquisition of new information and knowledge. Although 61.5% of the students preferred Internet browsing to reading of printed books, journals and newspapers, only 36.8% of them agreed that Internet use encouraged laziness in reading. The study recommended adequate library and
Internet access facilities and programmes in Nigerian universities to promote balanced reading and Internet use activities among undergraduates. University librarians should also explore means of meeting students’ rising demands for electronic resources, and provide
effective publicity and current awareness of the variety of existing and new information resources and services available to students in the university libraries 

Keywords: Reading, Internet use, learning, universities, students, Nigeria