AN INVESTIGATION ON PREVALENCE OF INTERNET USAGE AND ITS IMPACT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE USING SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE AS CASE STUDY

AN INVESTIGATION ON PREVALENCE OF INTERNET USAGE AND ITS IMPACT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE USING SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE AS CASE STUDY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The recognized potential of technology to improve education has resulted in a number of initiatives to promote effective use and integration of technology into the curriculum. As a new technology, the Internet offers humanity’s greatest promise for learning and universal access to high-quality education. The internet is a critical information and communication technology that has triggered a global information revolution (Siraj, et al., 2015). The internet is a knowledge pool, and any country that denies its children access to it is dethroning itself in the eyes of other nations. It will serve as a hub for a variety of activities for people of all ages (Akin-Adaeamola, 2014). The internet has become an integral part of people’s lives.

In everyday life. In the mid-1990s, the internet was introduced to academic institutions as a tool to enhance students’ academic experiences due to its potential to function as a support medium for many tasks for which people use it. According to Türel and Muhammet (2015), internet access has grown dramatically over the last few decades and is now available in a wide range of settings, including homes, businesses, travel, and schools. According to empirical studies, students’ academic performance can be influenced by access to information (e.g. Adedotun, 2015; Akende & Bamise, 2017). The use of reliable online resources is more important in academic research, especially in high-level courses that require a literature review (Sahin et al., 2010).

In contrast, the use of the Internet for educational purposes has increased. It has been discovered to be at the heart of adolescent academic success. Internet access is nearly ubiquitous, according to Ellore, Niranjan, and Brown (2014), and the majority of students have online access on their cellphones. Students can improve their academic knowledge, conduct research, and complete projects by gaining access to material from all over the world, as well as improve contact with their peers. According to Yesilyurt et al. (2014), having a home computer and internet connection benefits both academic achievement and self-learning abilities in children. The surveys also discovered that the internet has a number of benefits for the academic cycle, including 24-hour access to a wide range of global information sources and the ability to debate and share experiences with colleagues.

in order to maximize the benefits of ICT. Based on their access and usage of the internet by secondary school students in Nigeria, Olatokun (2008) discovered that most students thought the internet was far better and more convenient than their school libraries. They saw it as a source of general information, and as a result, it helped them improve their reading habits and academic achievement.

1.2 Definition of the problem

Despite the fact that internet use is critical to students’ academic success, it has a number of negative consequences. Some students use the internet for nonacademic purposes such as gaming and social networking, which causes them to miss class (Singh et al., 2013). Furthermore, rather than studying, students use the internet for entertainment. This could result in lower academic standards. The most popular internet uses among secondary students are charting, downloading, watching movies online, playing online games, and shopping online (Akin-Adramola, 2014). This demonstrates that some secondary students are not adequately instructed on how to use the internet for academic purposes. If not used properly, the internet can be a disastrous tool for improving academic performance. Recent research indicates that children who use the internet in a balanced manner are more likely to succeed academically. According to Siraj, Salam, Hasan, Jin, Roslan, and Othman (2015) research, university students who have control over their internet usage perform better academically. However, studies on the prevalence of negative internet usage among secondary school students are being conducted.

limited, so in order to fill the perceived void This study focuses on the prevalence of internet usage and its impact on academic performance of secondary school students in Awka, Anambra State.

1.3 Purpose of the research

The overarching goal of this study is to look into the prevalence of internet usage and its impact on academic performance of secondary school students in Awka, Anambra State. The study specifically seeks to:

1. Determine the sources of internet usage among secondary school students.

2. To investigate the impact of internet use on senior high school students’ academic performance.

3. To investigate the level of student internet usage in secondary schools during the teaching and learning process.

4. To determine the detriment

of internet usage in Anambra State secondary schools.

1.4 Hypothesis of Research

HO1: Secondary school students have a low level of internet usage.

HO2: Internet use has no significant impact on academic achievement in secondary school in Akwa.

1.5 Importance of the research

The study’s findings will provide a framework for government, private school management, curriculum planners, and education stakeholders to develop strategies for guiding secondary school students on internet usage so that their usage behavior does not disrupt the learning outcome. Empirically, the study will add to the general body of knowledge and serve as a resource for both scholars and students interested in conducting additional research in related fields.

field.

1.6 The Study’s Scope

The scope of this study is limited to the prevalence of internet usage and its impact on academic performance of secondary school students in Awka, Anambra State. The research will look into the origins of internet use among secondary school students. It will investigate the impact of internet use on senior high school students’ academic performance. It will determine the level of student internet usage in secondary schools during the teaching and learning process. Also, look into the disadvantages of internet use in Anambra State secondary schools.

1.7 The study’s limitations

The researchers encountered minor constraints while conducting the study, as with any human endeavor. The significant limitation was the paucity of literature on the subject.

Because of the nature of the discourse, the researcher incurred more financial expenses and spent more time sourcing relevant materials, literature, or information and collecting data, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited sample size. Furthermore, the researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic work. Furthermore, because only a few respondents were chosen to answer the research instrument, the sample size was limited to selected secondary schools in Anambra State, and thus cannot be generalized to other secondary schools in other States. However, despite the constraint encountered during the research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

1.8 Definitions of terms

The Internet is a massive network that connects computers from all over the world. People can share information and communicate via the Internet from any location with an Internet connection.

Academic Achievement or Academic Performance: Academic achievement or academic performance refers to the extent to which a student, teacher, or institution has met their short or long-term educational objectives.