Students' level of skillfulness and use of the internet in selected secondary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined level of skillfulness and the use of the Internet for learning among secondary school students in Lagos State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey research method was adopted for the study. A sample of 450 students was randomly selected from the three secondary schools. One intact arm was selected from senior secondary one (SS1) to senior secondary three (SS3) in each of the three secondary schools. Of the 450 copies of questionnaire distributed, 355 usable copies of the questionnaire were returned giving 78% response rate. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, mean and Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient. Results showed that there is a perfect strong relationship between the level of skillfulness and the use of the internet for learning. The study also found thatthere is strong positive relationship between accessibility to the internet and the frequency of use of the Internet.It was recommended that government should connect all secondary school libraries with high-speed Internet access and functional facilities to enable the students learn and develop internet skills in order to take advantage of the massive Open Educational Resources on the Internet. It also advocated the integration of the Internet into the learning process. This will help to improve learning and prepare students to effectively participate in the 21st century knowledge society.

Keywords: Internet use, Skillfulness, School libraries, Students, Secondary schools, Lagos State, Nigeria