Computer usage in teaching and learning among Indian Academics: Exploring the Gender disparity

This study aims to explore the gender disparity in Computer usage for teaching and learning among Indian academics. A total of 2463 samples were selected from 11 state universities in Karnataka, India. A well designed questionnaire was used to collect the data from the respondents. The result shows that, half of the male (50.2%) and female (49.8%) respondents used computer. Further, most of the male respondents used computer every day (58.0%) compared to female (42.0%) respondents. The present study found that majority of the respondents used computer for the research purpose (Male=55.6%, female=44.4%), followed by to read the e-books/e-journals, (Male=54.7%, female=45.3%) to prepare notes, to access Internet (Male=50.6%, female=49.4%), to prepare presentation slides (Male=50.1%, female=49.9%), to prepare class assignments (Male=49.1%, female=50.9%) and to improve typing skills (Male=51.8%, female=48.2%) and also to prepare project reports (Male=48.4%, female=51.6%)

Use of Online Public Access Catalogue [OPAC] at Sadakathullah Appa College, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu: A Study

OPAC is an imperative device in the libraries to offer a moral support of the clients. Electronic Information access and recovery in numerous ways should be possible utilizing the OPAC administrations. The present study explores the Use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) at Sadakathullah Appa College (SAC) Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. This paper discusses various aspects of OPAC use such as frequency use, and satisfaction regarding use of OPAC etc.

Use of Online Public Access Catalogue [OPAC] at Sadakathullah Appa College, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu: A Study

OPAC is an imperative device in the libraries to offer a moral support of the clients. Electronic Information access and recovery in numerous ways should be possible utilizing the OPAC administrations. The present study explores the Use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) at Sadakathullah Appa College (SAC) Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. This paper discusses various aspects of OPAC use such as frequency use, and satisfaction regarding use of OPAC etc.

Using electronic information resources: a study of end-user training needs and methods in selected public university libraries in Malaysia

This research investigated the library end-users' perceptions of their training needs in relation to using the electronic information resources in selected public universities in Malaysia. It also investigated the training methods preferred by end-users in learning how to use electronic information resources. The subjects of the study were university students and academic staff from three selected public universities in Malaysia. They comprised 433 students and 223 academic staff. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. The main data was gathered through self-administered questionnaires, while the supplementary data was gathered through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Opinions from the librarians responsible for end-user training at the three university libraries were also sought through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Comparisons were made between the two groups of end-users, namely, students and academic staff in areas related to the problems of the study. Appropriate non-parametric statistical techniques such as cross-tabulation, chisquare test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman correlation test were applied in analysing the data measured at both nominal and ordinal scales. Among the major findings were: (1) a statistically significant differences were found between students and academic staff in terms of knowledge and ability in using electronic information resources. Many academic staff were more knowledgable and able to use electronic information resources than students. However, concerning knowledge in using certain IT facilities, many more students than academic staff knew how to use them; and (2) both students and academic staff preferred one-to-one training methods as their first choice. With regard to the second choice of training method, students preferred computerassisted instruction (CAI), while academic staff preferred library workshops with hands-on training. Recommendations based on the research findings were made

Access and use of electronic resources by academics and postgraduate students at the University of Venda, South Africa

Electronic resources (e-resources) have brought many benefits and challenges in the way people access, retrieve and store information. At the University of Venda (UNIVEN), e-resources are there to be accessed and used by the whole university community which is composed of undergraduate and postgraduate students, academics (lecturers) and support staff. In order to provide relevant services to academics and students, academic libraries need to know the extent of e-resources usage, preferences, attitudes, perceptions, usage patterns and challenges faced by their communities in using e-resources. These aspects have not been systematically investigated at UNIVEN. Furthermore, it was not clear whether the available e-resources at UNIVEN were utilised effectively and whether UNIVEN has prerequisite infrastructure and technology required to access e-resources. This study investigates the use of e-resources by academics and postgraduate students at the University of Venda (UNIVEN), South Africa. The specific objectives of this study were to determine the purpose of using e-resources by academics and postgraduate students at UNIVEN; to establish perceptions of academics and postgraduate students towards access and use of e-resources; and to identify challenges faced by academics and postgraduate students in accessing and using e-resources at UNIVEN. This quantitative study used survey research design to investigate access and use of e-resources by academics and postgraduate students at UNIVEN. A stratified sampling was used to select 45 academics and 150 postgraduate students. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents. The collected data were analysed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS). The findings of this study revealed that both academics and postgraduate students accessed and used the available e-resources. The findings showed that age and gender had no significant relationship with access and use of e-resources. The academics and postgraduate students used e-resources for academic purposes and they all had positive perceptions towards e-resources. Accessing and using e-resources while off-campus was a major challenge faced by academics and students. The study recommends that UNIVEN should provide additional computers for accessing internet by students and increase its internet bandwidth. The university library should ensure that librarians responsible for training on the use of e-resources have adequate skills and should raise awareness of the available e-resources training programmes. In addition, the study recommends that UNIVEN library should modernise its Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) and provide a single-point of search which will allow simultaneous searching of multiple resources including print and e-resources to eliminate the need for searching the various databases separately.Information ScienceM.A. (Information Science

Human Orientation in Libraries A Study of University Libraries in Mumbai

The study assesses the navigational aspects from the University Library's first-time users’ point of view and evaluates the available guidance tools to facilitate ease of wayfinding and overall usability. It focuses on Human Orientation practices followed by university libraries in Mumbai. The physical settings of libraries, locations for departments and guidelines through appropriate signage, hoardings, displays, day to day library operations, and processes were taken into consideration to foresee the inconvenience, confusion, uncertainty, and irritation faced by users. The study used survey method is used for data collection. Findings and observations were analysed and recommendations were generated based on the facets of PMEST

Social and academic use of Internet by the graduate students in Finland and Bangladesh: a comparative study

The main aim of this study was to identify the social and academic use of Internet by the graduate students in Finland and Bangladesh. The study was carried out using mixed approach including quantitative and qualitative techniques. However, quantitative technique has dominated this research. For selecting the respondents of this research, cluster and purposive sampling method has been applied respectively. A total of 90 students including 45 from Finland and 45 from Bangladesh were interviewed. Data was presented through simple percentage calculation and graphical representation. The results were discussed comparatively both the cases of research. The major findings were; Finnish students were more advanced of using and accessing Internet than Bangladeshi students. Almost from all dimensions, Finnish students spent more time with Internet for the social and academic affairs. In some social circumstances like health issues, religious matters, and political aspects and in academic circumstances mainly searching job Bangladeshi students use more Internet than Finnish students. In addition, Bangladeshi students considered Internet as very important while Finnish students treated Internet as somewhat important for the social and academic discussion. The study concludes that the findings provided a practical scenario of the use of Internet by the graduate students of both the countries. However, for the deeper understanding and interpretation of social and academic use of Internet, there is a scope for the broader research initiatives which may cover larger samples and extensive qualitative method

Access to and use of electronic information resources in the academic libraries of the Lesotho Library Consortium.

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2016.The study presents the findings of a survey regarding access to and use of electronic information resources in academic libraries of the Lesotho Library Consortium (LELICO). Nine institutions were studied, namely; the National University of Lesotho; Lesotho College of Education; Lesotho Agricultural College; Lerotholi Polytechnic; Centre of Accounting Studies; National Health Training College; Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre; Lesotho Institute of Public Administration and Management, and Institute of Development Management. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model by Venkatesh et al., (2009) underpinned the study, using the main variables or constructs of direct determinants of intention, being; Facilitating Condition (FC), Effort Expectancy (EE), Performance Expectancy (PE) and Social Influence (SI), also the direct determinants for use behaviour, User Behaviour (UB) and Behaviour Intention (BI). The study adopted the post-positivists paradigm and mixed methods were used; that is, qualitative and quantitative approaches. The self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the librarians (systems librarians, subject librarians and acquisition librarians), while the two semi-structured interviews were conducted with the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Directors and Rectors, University Librarian, and Library Directors. Response rate of 69.6% for librarians, 44.4% for PVC, Directors or Rectors and 56% for University Librarian and Library Directors were achieved. To analyse quantitative data, the SPSS Version 20.0 was used, while qualitative data was analysed by sorting, classifying and arranging data which were examined in relation to combined thematic content analysis. To ascertain reliability and validity of the instruments, pre-testing was done of both the instruments for librarians and the Library Director of the University of KwaZulu-Natal Library, in Pietermaritzburg. The research study was guided by the ethical protocol of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which was adhered to. It was established that the type of e-resources accessed and used by academic libraries of LELICO included: e-mail, search engines, websites, Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), e-journals, full-text databases, reference databases, institutional repositories (IRs) and Compact Disc-Read Only Memories (CD-ROMs). The study established that e-resources which were accessed and used mostly were e-mail, search engines and websites, followed by the OPAC, e-journals, full-text databases, IRs, reference databases. The study further found that main uses of e-resources were for communication, to support teaching and learning activities, such as professional research, assignments and lecture requirements. The findings showed that awareness of e-resources was mainly through formal engagement, such as library orientation and through informal engagement such as colleagues. The following strategies were in place: IRs, Open Access (OA), Information Literacy (IL) programme as well as library orientation sessions to improve on the access to and use of e-resources. It has been further revealed that challenges such as budget cuts, low internet bandwidth, lack of up-to-date Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, inadequate searching skills, shortage of staff and high cost of subscription fees posed many of the threats to access to and use of e-resources in the institutions libraries. The findings revealed lack of guidelines and e-resources collection development policies. The study concluded that access to and use of electronic information resources in the academic libraries were influenced by how e-resources were accessed, systems in place, effectiveness of the consortium, challenges facing libraries and strategies in place. The study recommended the establishment of e-collection development policies, guidelines and procedures for budget allocation, conducting of needs assessment to selection, collections maintenance, evaluation and resource sharing formulated to be implemented to enhance the efficient management of e-resource collection by providing selection procedures, requirements, standards and specifications in terms of Information and Communication Technologies(ICTs) infrastructure, equipment and human resource recruitment. The findings of the study influenced the formulation of e-resources collection development policies in academic libraries of the LELICO. The research is a strong platform for critical knowledge exchange and engagement and the presentation of results enhanced the understanding of the current realities and status in relation to access to and use of e-resources in the higher education setting particularly in the academic libraries. Furthermore, the study makes significant contribution in the areas of policy, theory and practice regarding access to and use of e-resources. The present study contributes to the body of knowledge, information and literature, especially in the context of Lesotho

A Study of Their Practices and Performance

Ganz allgemein zeigen die Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchung, dass die gegenwärtige Lage der Bibliotheken in staatlichen Universitäten durch extrem geringe Ressourcen für die Bücher-, Zeitschriften und Mediensammlungen und hinsichtlich Ausstattung und Personal gekennzeichnet. Private Universitäten haben diese Probleme in weit geringerem Maße. Unter Studierenden, Lehrenden und Universitätsbeamten ist durchaus die Ansicht verbreitet, dass Universitätsbibliotheken eine entscheidende Rolle in Lehre, Forschung und Studium spielen. Man nimmt allerdings auch zur Kenntnis, dass die Universitätsbibliotheken in Kenia, besonders diejenigen der staatlichen Universitäten, keine wirkungsvollen Dienstleistungen erbringen. Dies hat zur Entwertung ihrer Rolle in der Hochschullandschaft geführt. Die Studie zeigt, dass die moderne Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik in die kenianischen Universitätsbibliotheken Einzug gehalten hat. Doch ist die Entwicklung zum einen durch die Finanzierungslücken behindert worden, sodass Computer nicht angeschafft und Netze nicht aufgebaut werden konnten, zum anderen durch das Fehlen von geschultem EDV-Personal und durch die kümmerliche Telekommunikations-Infrastruktur im Lande. Diese Untersuchung kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass Maßnahmen erforderlich sind, die Situation der Universitätsbibliotheken in Kenia zu verbessern - dies auch als ein Weg, die Qualität des Universitätsstudiums in Kenia zu steigern. Diese Maßnahmen umfassen zunächst die Aufnahme einer langfristigen Planung auf allen Gebieten bibliothekarischer Arbeit. Zweitens sollten die leitenden Bibliothekare die zentrale Bedeutung der Bibliotheken hervor heben, welche ihnen im Zusammenhang der gesamten Universität zukommt. Um nutzbare Quellen der Information zu bleiben, müssen die Universitätsbibliotheken in Kenia, die moderne Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik einsetzen. Die Anwendung neuer Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik kann den Bibliothekaren an den Universitäten helfen, besseren Zugang zu örtlichen und zu globalen Informationen zu schaffen, zum Beispiel durch elektronische Media und Internetzugang.This study argues that the provision of library services in Kenyan public universities is characterised by extremely inadequate resources in terms of funds, information materials, equipment and staff. Private university libraries experience these problems albeit to a lesser degree. Although there is widespread opinion among students, lecturers as well as university administrators that university libraries play a critical role in the teaching, research, and learning activities, there is also awareness that university libraries in Kenya, especially those in public universities are not effectively providing services which has limited their role in research and learning in the university. Finally, modern information and communication technology is being incorporated in the management of university libraries in Kenya. However, this trend has been hindered by first, lack of funds to purchase equipment such as computers and set up networks, secondly by lack of skilled personnel in information technology, and finally by poor telecommunications infrastructure in the country. There is therefore need for adoption of strategic planning in all areas of library management and to remain viable sources of information, university libraries in Kenya have to make use modern information and communication technology. This will enable university libraries to facilitate better access to local and global information for example through electronic and internet media

Information literacy self-efficacy in the use of electronic information resources by library and information science postgraduate students in South South Nigeria.

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2018.This study was carried out to investigate information literacy self-efficacy (ILSE) in the use of Electronic Information Resources (EIRs) by Library and Information Science Postgraduate Students in South-South, Nigeria. Three universities accredited by the National University Commission to offer postgraduate programmes in Library and Information Science in South-South, Nigeria were studied. The universities are: Delta State University, Abraka; University of Uyo, Uyo and University of Calabar, Calabar.The objectives of this study were guided by the five research questions:What information literacy skills do postgraduate students have to use electronic information resources? What is the relationship between postgraduate students’ information literacy self-efficacy and their use of electronic information resources? What are students’ usage patterns of electronic information resources? What are the barriers related to information literacy that hinder postgraduate students from using electronic information resources? How can information literacy self-efficacy be enhanced amongst library and information science postgraduate students? The study was informed by post-positivism research paradigm and applied Kuhlthau (2004)Information Search Process (ISP) model anchored on social constructivism approach.The mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative approach) were employed. The population for the study consisted of 115 postgraduate students admitted for the 2016/2017 academic year and 3 subject librarians at the three universities. A survey questionnaire was used to solicit quantitative data from the postgraduate students, while an interview was used to solicit qualitative data from the subject librarians. Quantitative and qualitative data collected were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and thematic content analysis (TCA) respectively. The SPSS was specifically used to generate frequency counts, percentage and descriptive statistics.The study adhered to the ethical standards of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The findings revealed that the use of EIRs is determined by the competency in information literacy. Findings further showed that tool literacy, critical literacy, social-structural literacy, emerging technology literacy and publishing literacy determine postgraduate students’ use of EIRs. The study further revealed that there is a strong relationship between information literacy self-efficacy skills and the use EIRs as information literacy self-efficacy skills have impacted on postgraduate students’ usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) components, especially those related to the use of EIRs such as the use of a computer and its software and applications. The usage patterns of EIRs were determined through the frequency and purpose of using EIRs. Findings indicated that e-journals, e-books, e-newspapers and e-reference sources were the most frequently used EIRs by the postgraduate students. Results also indicated that EIRs were used for different academic purposes. The study provides new insight into barriers faced by postgraduate students while using EIRs. Details of the findings revealed that postgraduate students were faced with information literacy related barriers such as information overload, difficulties in downloading, credibility of information and a lack of adequate knowledge of Information Technology (IT).Furthermore, the study revealed that a number of strategies such as the introduction of IL related courses, adequate orientation to the library and its resources, mastery experience (the use of personal past experience to a particular task), sharing experiences relating to information literacy, strategic training on information literacy self-efficacy and constructive feedback could be employed to enhance postgraduate ILSE skills. The study concludes that the intricacy of the electronic atmosphere requires that postgraduate students possess ILSE skills to effectively and efficiently use EIRs. Therefore, the study recommends among others that universities introduce programmes such as IL certificate programmes, workshops, seminars and others that would increase information literacy of postgraduate students. Moreover, it is recommended that the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) should be involved in advocacy for IL as well as lobby for the incorporation of IL in the curriculum to promote information literacy skills. This study has implications for policy, practice and theory as policy makers and university management can apply a set of recommendations from this research study to formulate policies that would be beneficial for the enhancement of ILSE skills among undergraduate and postgraduate students. Similarly, the current study contributes to the body of knowledge from the perspective of postgraduate students’ ILSE skills in using EIRs. Furthermore, the strength of the ISP model adopted for this study was re-affirmed as its constructs adequately addressed the entire research questions formulated for this study