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Title: | Internet access competence and the use of the Internet for teaching and research activities by University of Botswana academic staff |
Authors: | Ojedokun, Ayoku A. Owolabi, Emmanuel O. |
Year: | 2003 |
Periodical: | African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science |
Volume: | 13 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 43-53 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Botswana |
Subjects: | Internet teachers universities |
Abstract: | The Internet is dramatically changing the world of research and teaching. However, academics will have to learn new skills of Internet use to fully transform their research and teaching. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of Internet competence on the use of the Internet for teaching and research activities among the academic staff of the University of Botswana. The Internet was introduced in the University in February 1997. A total of 216 academic staff participated in the study. A specially designed questionnaire with open and close-ended questions was used as the main instrument for data collection. Data were analysed for frequency and percentage using the cross-tabs sub-programme of SPSS. The study showed that many of the respondents are skilled users of the Internet only as far as its application in research activities is concerned. This is essentially in the area of literature and supporting/baseline data searching. They seem not to be as skilled in the use of the Internet to enhance teaching activities, such as presenting course descriptions on the Internet, delivering additional lecture notes, and sending files to students. The study therefore recommends that for the University of Botswana to derive maximal benefit from its investment in personal computers and Internet access for its academic staff, it is imperative that training programmes be organized for the academic staff on Internet use for teaching and research. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract] |