University Undergraduate Students, Perceptions of The Wireless Internet Use: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The study focused on Uni versity Undergraduate students’ perceptions of the use of the wireless internet of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria. Using emperical and new field data, this exploratory study investigated the students’ perceptions of internet use in relation to library use. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and random sampling technique was used to select 751 undergraduate students who registered with the university library during the 2010/2011 academic sess ion. A response rate of 631 or 84% was obtained for the data analysis. Personal interaction with the students in form of interview was also used. Results showed that wireless internet usage were attributed to academic purpose, to obtain information on academic materials, for communication aid to gain additional information to complete assignments/research reports, for sports and entertainment. Google and yahoo seemed to be the most popular among the search engines used by the students. With response rate of 360 or 57.1% and 220 or 34.9% respectively. Recommendations were offered which include: constant training on internet use among students, satisfying adequately students’ rising demands for electronic resources and promoting current awareness programmes among students.

Key Words: Wireless, Internet, perceptions, Undergraduate, Students, Library, Bauchi, Nigeria.