Specialization Impact on Internet Resource Usage: Omani Undergraduate Learner’s Perspectives

Full Text (PDF, 395KB), PP.10-17

Views: 0 Downloads: 0

Author(s)

B. Sriram 1,*

1. Faculty and Quality Assurance Officer Sur University College, PO: 440, PC: 411, Sur, Sultanate of Oman Mob: 00968-92186725

* Corresponding author.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2014.08.02

Received: 16 May 2014 / Revised: 5 Jun. 2014 / Accepted: 12 Jul. 2014 / Published: 8 Aug. 2014

Index Terms

Internet Resources, Learning Processes, Specialization Impacts, Technology Supports in Learning, Probabilistic Approach

Abstract

The current educational processes need various tools and technological supports in order to attain the required level of knowledge. The learning processes have been simplified with the help of different resources including internet resources. The usage of internet resources usage depends on the learner’s requirements in the field of study. This research had identified the significant impacts of the specialization of the learners on the internet resource usage. Also, the paper identified some specializations that have major influences in using such internet resources in learning processes. The study had been conducted in Omani undergraduate student’s environment with respect to selected specializations. The specialization impacts on the frequency of using internet resources, places of searching and purpose of using internet resources in the learning processes were analyzed using conditional probabilities and impacts had been identified with the help of decision tree diagram. The results showed that the students studying Information Technology specialization had greater impact in using internet resources in their learning processes compared to others at undergraduate levels.

Cite This Paper

B. Sriram, "Specialization Impact on Internet Resource Usage: Omani Undergraduate Learner’s Perspectives", International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science (IJMECS), vol.6, no.8, pp.10-17, 2014. DOI:10.5815/ijmecs.2014.08.02

Reference

[1]Ozoemelem, O.A., (2009). Use of Electronic Resources by Post Graduate Students of the Department of Library and Information Science of Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practices. ISSN: 1522-0222.
[2]Kidd, T. 2002. Electronic journal usage statistics in practice. Serials 15(1): 11–17.
[3]Voorbij, H. J. 1999. Searching scientific information on the Internet: A Dutch academic user survey. Journal of the American Society for Information Science 50 (7): 598–615.
[4]Ray, Kathryn & Day, Joan (1998). "Student attitudes towards electronic information resources." Information Research, 4(2) Available at: http://informationr.net/ir/4-2/paper54.html.
[5]Sheard J, Ceddia J, Hurst J (2003). Inferring student learning behaviour from website interactions: A usage analysis. Education and Information Technologies, 8(3), 245 – 266.
[6]Holley, R. P. & Powell, R. R. (2004). Student satisfaction with electronic library resources at Wayne State University. Journal of Access Services, 2(1), 41-62. doi: 10.1300/J204v02n01_06 Available at: http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/slisfrp/36.
[7]Lamothe. A. R. (2013). Factors Influencing the Usage of an Electronic Book Collection: Size of the eBook Collection, the Student Population and the Faculty Population. College & Research Libraries. Crl301. January 2013. Visited and retrieved on 23.12.2013 from http://crl.acrl.org/content/74/1/39.full.pdf.
[8]Mirza, M. S., & Mahmood, K., (2012). Electronic resources and services in Pakistani university libraries: A survey of users’ satisfaction, The International Information & Library Review (2012), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iilr.2012.07.00.
[9]Saikia, Mukesh Dr and Gohain, Anjan Mr, "Use and User’s Satisfaction on Library Resources and Services in Tezpur University (India): a study" (2013).Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal).Paper 972. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/972.
[10]Quadri, G.O., (2013). “Influence of Demographic factors on Use of Online Library Resources by Undergraduate Students in Two Private Nigerian Universities. Library of Philosophy and Practice (e-Journal). Paper 976.
[11]Okiki, O.C., & Asiru, S.M. (2011). Use of Electronic Information Sources by Postgraduate Students in Nigeria: Influencing Factors. Library Philosophy and Practice. Paper 500.
[12]Shaqour, A., & Daher, W. (2010). Factors Influencing Students' Use of Electronic Resources and their Opinions About this Use: The Case of Students at An-Najah National University. International Journal Of Emerging Technologies In Learning (IJET), 5(4), pp. 51-58. doi:10.3991/ijet.v5i4.1424.
[13]Emwanta. M. G., & Nwalo. K.I.N. (2013). Influence of Computer Literacy and Subject Background on Use of Electronic Resources by Undergraduate Students in Universities in South – Western Nigeria. International Journal of Library and Information Science. 5(2). pp: 29 – 49. DOI: 10.5897/IJLIS12.017.
[14]Singh D, Ogbonnaya CO, Ohakwe J (2011). Factors affecting the use of electronic information services by international students in Malaysia (A Case Study of University of Malasia). Continental Journal of Applied Sciences. 6(3):8-18.
[15]Downes, S. (2007). Models for Sustainable Open Educational Resources. Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge and Learning Objects. Volume 3. Pp. 29 – 34.
[16]Ebersole. S.E. (2005). On Their Own: Student’s Academic Use of Commercialized Web. Library Trends. 53(4). pp: 530 – 538.
[17]Maughan. P.D. (1999). Library Resources and Services: A Cross – Disciplinary Survey of Faculty and Graduate Student Use and Satisfaction. The Journal of Academic Librarianship. 25(5). pp: 354 – 366.
[18]McDowell, L. (2002), Electronic information resources in undergraduate education: an exploratory study of opportunities for student learning and independence. British Journal of Educational Technology, 33: 255–266. doi: 10.1111/1467-8535.00261.
[19]Ott, L. & Longnecker. M. (2001). An Introduction to Statistical methods and Data Analysis. 5 e. Wadsworth Group. ISBN: 0-534-25122-6.