Awareneness and usage of web 2.0 tools among lecturers in Nigerian universities: implications for teaching and learning in schools

Abstract

Web 2.0 tools are bringing a new revolution to the processes of teaching and learning in universities of the 21st century, hence its level of awareness and usage among the lecturers who teach in these universities are very critical to a revolutionized teaching and learning. This study conducted an investigation into the level of awareness and usage of Web 2.0 tools among lecturers in Nigerian universities. One hundred and forty four copies of questionnaire were administered on lecturers randomly selected from five federal government owned universities in the south west, Nigeria viz: University of Ibadan, Ibadan; University of Lagos, Lagos; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; Federal University of Technology, Akure; and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. However, the data analysis was based on the 121 copies of the administered questionnaire returned with useful responses. Findings from the study revealed a high level of awareness and use of Web 2.0 tools among the lecturers in Nigerian universities while facebook, youtube, linkedln, twitter, wikis, and podcasting were found to be the popular tools among the lecturers. Also, facebook, linkedln, and wikis were found to be the most used Web 2.0 tools among the Lecturers while specific purposes of the tools among the lecturers were found to be in the areas of engaging the students in conversation, relating, communicating, and collaborating with colleagues, and sharing of educational materials for the purposes of teaching and learning. However, a significant difference was found to exist between the level of awareness of Web 2.0 ools. The study recommended the provision of infrastructural support for Web 2.0 tools’ use by management of universities in Nigeria while lecturers while also suggesting the need for lecturers to leverage on the opportunities provided by Web Web 2.0 tools in ensuring engaging and interesting teaching and learning in universities in Nigeria

Keywords: Awareness, Usage, Web 2.0, Lecturers, Nigerian universities, Teaching and Learning