Internet Use by Students of the University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

This paper is based on a Master’s dissertation whose objective was to determine the purpose for which students of the University of Dar es Salaam use the Internet (see www.udsm.ac.tz/). It was to determine if students were using the Internet for academic purposes. The study also investigated the level of students’ access to the Internet, as well as the problems students faced in Internet use. The web site has specific information on faculties, institutes, and departments, including training programmes. The Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) has been installed at the Main Campus and UCLAS libraries, replacing the manual card catalogues. The OPAC has simple and advanced search options, using ADLID software. Plans are underway to convert the manual catalogue of MUCHS library into an online catalogue. The survey method was used as the basic method for data collection, employing the questionnaire and the interview. Participant observation and focus group discussion are other methods used. The study revealed that the level of students’ access to the Internet was low, and the major reason was that at the time of the study, computers with Internet facilities were inadequate. The findings also revealed that the students who had access to the Internet were not using it effectively. They used it mainly for communication with friends and relatives more than for academic purposes. The cause of this was found to be lack of skills required for effective use of the internet. The study recommends the provision of more computers with Internet facilities, increasing Internet access speed, as well as providing more chances of training in Internet use.

Skills and training needs for use of electronic information resources (EIRs) among students in four Tanzanian Universities

“…These problems range from lack or inadequate resources, mainly computers, and poor Internet connectivity, inappropriate usage and lack of appropriate skills among students. For example, studies by Malekani (2006) at Sokoine University of Agriculture; Luambano and Nawe (2004) at the University of Dar-Es-Salaam; Jagboro (2003) at the University-Obafemi Awolowo in Nigeria and Ojedokun (2001) at the University of Botswana showed that the use of the Internet and other EIRs by students was limited by an inadequate number of computers and access points.…”

“…Studies by Hung (2004); Luambano and Nawe (2004) and Ojedokun (2001) report lack of skills in searching the Internet as one of the limitations that affect its proper utilization. Ojedokun, (2001) contends that lack of effective searching skills has led most of the students to limit themselves to searching for and retrieving information on entertainment, sports and news from around the world instead of using the Internet for academic matters.…”

Comparative Study of Internet Usage Among University Students: A Study of the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…The study also found that the most of the students didn't use internet for academic purposes. Therefore the study recommended to connect more computers with the internet and proper training on internet usage should be given to the students (Luambano & Nawe, 2004). Another study examined the purpose of internet usage and learning by the internet.…”

Exploring network literacy among students of St. Joseph's Theological Institute in South Africa

“…The survey research method was also used in the study of Internet use among students in Botswana (Ojedokun,200 I), Nigeria (Adogbeji and Akporhonor, 2005;jagboro, 2003;Oghenevwogaga and Oghenevwogaga, 2006;Omotayo, 2006), South Africa (Shezi, 2006) and Tanzania (Chachage, 200 I;Luambano and Nawe, 2004). A pre-tested selfadministered questionnaire was distributed to all 188 students registered at St. joseph's Institute.…”