CHAPTER ONE

1. 1.1BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The Internet is a global network of computers linked together over large distances. It was created by the American Military as a means of communication, and has been in existence since the 1950s. Up until the mid to late 80s, commercial organizations and educational institutions mainly used the internet. The Internet has enabled easy access to many resources and information sharing increased rapidly. The internet is an available source of information used by students in projects and assignments. The rapid development of technology has seen improvement in communication links and a lowering of costs. The implication of this is that, the internet is now more widely available to more people. Since the Internet is now available to a wide sector of the population in the Western World, many educational establishments has seized on its educational potential.

The Internet is a valuable source of information for students looking for ideas for projects and assignments.

Although the word “Internet” has come to mean free information to most persons, it is still being developed. The word “World wide web” also known as “www” is the universe network accessible information, the embodiment of human knowledge.

The Internet is the largest network of access to learning opportunities and services. It is a three level hierarchy composed of backbone network and subnet works. These include commercial (.com or .co), University (.as or .edu) and the military (.mil) networks around the world with various protocols including the Internet protocol.

Aleye (2008) described the Internet as a network of computer where individual computers are connected for greater efficiency and better information management via telecommunication links.

The Internet is an essential offspring of information and communication technology. Uwaifo (2007) defined the Internet as the network of computers. It can also be referred to as the information super highway or international network.

It is a collection of vast information sources of interlinked computers network. Millions of computers worldwide are interconnected and the information services in each computers are made available to all users who have access to Internet (Aina 2004).

There is a great potential for using the internet to increase efficiency levels among students in Universities.

The Internet has the ability to facilitate the movement from the traditional collection policy holding (just in case to access just in time) “holding” means gathering information together in one place for the researchers and other users versus the access model where on demand publishing will enable an electronic version of the work to be transmitted to the acquiring institution This would be made available over the internet to students who are given password to enable them to access the information (Adomi, 2006).

Students are increasingly expected to use the Internet resources while at the university. Students constitute one part of the society who are advantageous to have access at no cost to themselves to variety of electronic information sources such as the Internet. Universities use considerable proportion of their budget to provide this technology for the students to assist them in their learning process.

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The internet provides a wide range of information for the benefits of students, researchers, institutions. The main function of the Delta State University is to establish a conducive environment for learning by erecting a cyber café to enhance accessibility of information needed.

The Delta State University cyber café (BTS Backlink Technology Solution) is built by the parent body in producing different information needs to students for their learning process. Therefore, this study prompts to find out if the undergraduate students of Delta State University, Abraka are actually using the internet provided in boasting their academic performances 1.3  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. To what extent do students of Delta State University use Internet service provided by the University?
2. What is the level of academic performance of undergraduate Internet users?
3. What are the problems or challenges faced while using the internet?

1.4  PURPOSE OF STUDY

1. To determine the level of Internet use among undergraduate students of Delta State University, Abraka.
2. To find out the academic performance of undergraduate Internet users.
3. To examine the problems or challenges faced by the undergraduate students of Delta State University while using the Internet.

1.5  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The usefulness of this study is to enlighten the undergraduate students of Delta State University, Abraka on the importance of Internet in boasting their academic performance. To know the advantages of using the University internet to assist them in their various needs.

1.6  SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The scope of this research is limited to undergraduates of Delta State University, Abraka. It attempts to find out the relationship between the Internet and their academic performance.

The population of the study therefore is limited to undergraduate students of Delta State University, Abraka as such findings cannot be generalized to other Universities at large.

1.7  OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

INTERNET: A computer system that allows millions of computer users around the world exchange information.

PROTOCOL: An established method for computer. Connecting computers so that they can exchange information.

TELECOMMUNICATION: Provides the ability to transmit information. It is the transmission of representations of the information of representations of the information (Signals) between remote locations.

ACCESSING: Ability to use something effectively.