Digital Literacy Skills of Undergraduate Students in Nigeria Universities

Influence of digital technology in our educational system cannot be overemphasized. Hardly can any undergraduate student survive in tertiary institution without basic skills and knowledge of digital technology. The composite skills require for student to fit into digital environment in achieving his/her academic pursuit is digital literacy skill. This prompted the study on the digital literacy skills of undergraduate students of Federal Universities in Southwest, Nigeria. Research design employed for this study was the descriptive survey design. The population for this study was 60,997 undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan and University of Lagos. However, multiple stage sampling technique was used to arrive at 595 sampling size for the study. The instrument used was a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using frequency distribution tables; percentage, mean scores and standard deviation on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Finding of the study revealed that majority of the students admitted that they are confident on their level of information Literacy Skills, especially in using other people’s work (found online) without committing plagiarism. The students also indicated confidence in their level of Information and Communication Technology literacy skills, significantly when writing online on a web page for private use. Likewise, a high percentage of respondents were confident on their level of media literacy skill when using media-capture devices, e.g. recording on video. The study concluded that lecturers should encourage students to engage in academic research using electronic information resources on the web without committing plagiarism. Also, undergraduates ICT skills should be enhanced by encouraging them to open and operate online Blog for public access and lastly, lecturers and other academic staff should use electronic media resources in delivering lectures in order to challenge the confident level of undergraduates in using electronic media

USE OF TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL (TAM) TO EVALUATE LIBRARY ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES USE BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF LEAD CITY UNIVERSITY, IBADAN, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Many models and theories have been developed in a bid to properly conceptualize the way and manner in which users approach information systems. These theories have inspired many researches and facilitate the development of various solutions and frameworks designed to help both the information users and information service providers. One of such models is Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) which basic principles are applied in this study to examine the Use of Library Electronic Information Resources by Undergraduate Students of Lead City University, Ibadan. The research adopted a descriptive survey design. The population for the study was two thousand one-hundred and seventy-one (2,171) undergraduates from faculty of law, arts and education, social and management sciences and basic sciences. Probability sampling techniques were used to select 217 respondents. Questionnaire was used to elicit response. The data was analyzed using frequency counts and percentages of descriptive statistics. The study revealed availability of electronic information resources. Majority of the respondents (53%) Strongly Agree and (29%) Agree respectively to the usefulness of the Electronic Information Resources in their academic tasks, 36% of the respondents Agree while 38% strongly Agree respectively that overall, they found the Electronic Information Resources easy to use. Likewise, respondents reported a high level of satisfaction with using Library Electronic Information Resources. Respondents however view slow internet access as a major challenge. The researcher recommended that the university library should ensure better internet access, create awareness on library resources and provide uninterrupted power supply in the library and the university community

Utilization of Digital Information Resources by Undergraduates at Lead City University, Ibadan Nigeria

The innate need for growth and the growing popularity of digital information resources have prompted many academic libraries, including Lead City University to invest on the provision of digital information resources. However, studies have shown that provision of digital information resources does not automatically guarantee utilization. This study therefore investigates the utilization of digital information resources among undergraduate students at Lead City University, Ibadan Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative research method with a questionnaire used as research instrument. The study sample consists of 342 undergraduate students and the data collected was analysed with aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings show that there is a low level of digital resources utilization among the undergraduates. It was also found that challenges such as lack information retrieval skills, slow internet and inadequate computer system are among the challenges affecting the utilization of digital information resources by the undergraduate students

Awareness, Accessibility and Use of Electronic Information Resources by Students of Public Polytechnics in Lagos State, Nigeria

The success of the 21st century library practices is dependent on digital information handling, management and dissemination otherwise known as electronic information resources EIRs management. Viable nations of the world have long harnessed EIRs potentials in growing and developing their educational system including the polytechnic education via effective teaching and learning. Unfortunately, this is not the case of the Nigerian polytechnic system which could be due to several factors. Thus, the study investigates Awareness, Accessibility and Use of Electronic Information Resources by Students of Public Polytechnics in Lagos State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design was adopted on a population of 5,263 students made up of 1,748 students at HND in Yaba College of Technology and 3,515 in Lagos State Polytechnic, in eight schools altogether in the two polytechnics respectively via the multistage sampling technique; while sample size of 526 drawn at 10% of the study population. A self-structured and validated questionnaire was used and data collected online via Google form. Data subsequently collected from three hundred and ninety-one (391) respondents (representing 85.31% response rate) were analyzed using the descriptive statistical tools involving frequency count and simple percentages to answer the study research questions. Major findings show that students are aware of EIRs in their libraries and their mode of access is principally by android phones; while Internet resources and E-Journals were the highest frequently used EIRs on daily basis. The study however showed that students face several challenges in the use of EIRs ranging from infrastructural decay to slow internet connectivity, Poor power supply and complex database language upon which recommendations were made

Anxiety, Anger and Depression Amongst Low-Income Earners in Southwestern Uganda During the COVID-19 Total Lockdown

Background: Low-income earners are particularly vulnerable to mental health, consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions, due to a temporary or permanent loss of income and livelihood, coupled with government-enforced measures of social distancing. This study evaluates the mental health status among low-income earners in southwestern Uganda during the first total COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken amongst earners whose income falls below the poverty threshold. Two hundred and fifty-three (n = 253) male and female low-income earners between the ages of 18 and 60 years of age were recruited to the study. Modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) tools as appropriate were used to assess anxiety, anger, and depression respectively among our respondents. Results: Severe anxiety (68.8%) followed by moderate depression (60.5%) and moderate anger (56.9%) were the most common mental health challenges experienced by low-income earners in Bushenyi district. Awareness of mental healthcare increased with the age of respondents in both males and females. A linear relationship was observed with age and depression (r = 0.154, P = 0.014) while positive correlations were observed between anxiety and anger (r = 0.254, P < 0.001); anxiety and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015) and anger and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015). Conclusion: The study shows the importance of mental health awareness in low resource settings during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Females were identified as persons at risk to mental depression, while anger was highest amongst young males

Digital Literacy Skills of Undergraduate Students in Nigeria Universities

Influence of digital technology in our educational system cannot be overemphasized. Hardly can any undergraduate student survive in tertiary institution without basic skills and knowledge of digital technology. The composite skills require for student to fit into digital environment in achieving his/her academic pursuit is digital literacy skill. This prompted the study on the digital literacy skills of undergraduate students of Federal Universities in Southwest, Nigeria. Research design employed for this study was the descriptive survey design. The population for this study was 60,997 undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan and University of Lagos. However, multiple stage sampling technique was used to arrive at 595 sampling size for the study. The instrument used was a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using frequency distribution tables; percentage, mean scores and standard deviation on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Finding of the study revealed that majority of the students admitted that they are confident on their level of information Literacy Skills, especially in using other people’s work (found online) without committing plagiarism. The students also indicated confidence in their level of Information and Communication Technology literacy skills, significantly when writing online on a web page for private use. Likewise, a high percentage of respondents were confident on their level of media literacy skill when using media-capture devices, e.g. recording on video. The study concluded that lecturers should encourage students to engage in academic research using electronic information resources on the web without committing plagiarism. Also, undergraduates ICT skills should be enhanced by encouraging them to open and operate online Blog for public access and lastly, lecturers and other academic staff should use electronic media resources in delivering lectures in order to challenge the confident level of undergraduates in using electronic media

Electronic Database Resources and Digital Literacy Skills as Determinants of Nigerian Undergraduates’ Library Use

Abstract The university is the birthplace of life changing ideas which are further concretized to benefit the rest of the universe. Prominent member of the university community are undergraduates who are saddled with numerous course works relating to their disciplines. The heavy workload makes them search for information in electronic database resources in the university libraries. To benefit from their search, they require digital literacy skills. This prompted the study on the availability of electronic database resources and digital literacy skills as determinants of library use by undergraduates of Federal Universities in Southwest, Nigeria. The research design employed for this study was the descriptive survey design. The population for this study was constituted by 60,997 undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan and University of Lagos. However, multiple stage sampling technique was used to arrive at 595 sample size for the study.The instrument used was a questionnaire. The data was analyzed using frequency distribution tables; percentage, mean scores and standard deviation on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The result of multiple regression indicates that the availability of electronic database resources and digital literacy skills of undergraduates have joint influence on library use, R2=.882, F(1.949E3), p\u3c0.05. The result also indicates that 40.2% variance of library use among undergraduate students is accounted for by level of digital literacy skills and availability of electronic database resources. The study concluded that institutions should make efforts to improve access to the Internet and continue to provide constant electricity supply within the school premises and greater publicity should be given on the credibility of information from electronic database resources in the university libraries so that more undergraduates become aware and make use of them, likewise, trained personnel should be on ground to assist students and educate them on library base electronic resources usage and library services within the university, especially computer laboratory and library, thus increasing student’s library use and level of digital literacy skill

USE OF TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL (TAM) TO EVALUATE LIBRARY ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES USE BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF LEAD CITY UNIVERSITY, IBADAN, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Many models and theories have been developed in a bid to properly conceptualize the way and manner in which users approach information systems. These theories have inspired many researches and facilitate the development of various solutions and frameworks designed to help both the information users and information service providers. One of such models is Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) which basic principles are applied in this study to examine the Use of Library Electronic Information Resources by Undergraduate Students of Lead City University, Ibadan. The research adopted a descriptive survey design. The population for the study was two thousand one-hundred and seventy-one (2,171) undergraduates from faculty of law, arts and education, social and management sciences and basic sciences. Probability sampling techniques were used to select 217 respondents. Questionnaire was used to elicit response. The data was analyzed using frequency counts and percentages of descriptive statistics. The study revealed availability of electronic information resources. Majority of the respondents (53%) Strongly Agree and (29%) Agree respectively to the usefulness of the Electronic Information Resources in their academic tasks, 36% of the respondents Agree while 38% strongly Agree respectively that overall, they found the Electronic Information Resources easy to use. Likewise, respondents reported a high level of satisfaction with using Library Electronic Information Resources. Respondents however view slow internet access as a major challenge. The researcher recommended that the university library should ensure better internet access, create awareness on library resources and provide uninterrupted power supply in the library and the university community

21st Century Library Use Skills

Blurb/Shorttext:Students are saddled with numerous course work relating to their disciplines. The heavy workload makes them search for information to bridge their knowledge gap. The library is the most authentic source of information where print, non-print and electronic information resources can be accessed. However, studies have revealed that undergraduate students prefer electronic resources to printed materials. To encourage library use, libraries have been responding to the students’ preference for electronic databases by increasing their electronic database collections in order to make electronic sources of information accessible. However, findings from studies indicate that many electronic database resources are not being utilized by undergraduate students for many reasons, the most prominent of which is lack of digital literacy skills. They are unable to evaluate and retrieve authentic information from electronic database resources subscribed to by the university libraries. Therefore, this book exposes readers to digital literacy skills needed to survive in digital environmen

Electronic Database Resources and Digital Literacy Skills as Determinants of Nigerian Undergraduates’ Library Use

Abstract The university is the birthplace of life changing ideas which are further concretized to benefit the rest of the universe. Prominent member of the university community are undergraduates who are saddled with numerous course works relating to their disciplines. The heavy workload makes them search for information in electronic database resources in the university libraries. To benefit from their search, they require digital literacy skills. This prompted the study on the availability of electronic database resources and digital literacy skills as determinants of library use by undergraduates of Federal Universities in Southwest, Nigeria. The research design employed for this study was the descriptive survey design. The population for this study was constituted by 60,997 undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan and University of Lagos. However, multiple stage sampling technique was used to arrive at 595 sample size for the study.The instrument used was a questionnaire. The data was analyzed using frequency distribution tables; percentage, mean scores and standard deviation on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The result of multiple regression indicates that the availability of electronic database resources and digital literacy skills of undergraduates have joint influence on library use, R2=.882, F(1.949E3), p\u3c0.05. The result also indicates that 40.2% variance of library use among undergraduate students is accounted for by level of digital literacy skills and availability of electronic database resources. The study concluded that institutions should make efforts to improve access to the Internet and continue to provide constant electricity supply within the school premises and greater publicity should be given on the credibility of information from electronic database resources in the university libraries so that more undergraduates become aware and make use of them, likewise, trained personnel should be on ground to assist students and educate them on library base electronic resources usage and library services within the university, especially computer laboratory and library, thus increasing student’s library use and level of digital literacy skill