The Contribution of Information Communication Technology to the Dwindling Reading Culture among Students of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Abstract

The idea that Information Communication Technology (ICT) has become the lifeblood of national development is no longer news. Similarly, it is no news that it has contributed immensely to the economies of nations and revolutionized the means and methods of studying. However, the information of interest and concern now is how it has contributed to the dwindling reading culture among students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. This topic was studied through oral interviews and personal interaction to know how students' reading habits have declined tremendously as a result of the advent of ICT using selected Kogi State University students as a case study. It is discovered through our informants that much time is given by the students to surfing the internet for both relevant and mostly irrelevant materials to their academic progress at the expense of reading natural materials such as textbooks and notebooks. This practice has depleted their natural mental ability and reduced their capacity to read comprehensively and effectively with consequent mass failure in both their internal and external examinations. The data collected were analyzed using the simple descriptive statistical tool to compute and summarize the findings. It was discovered that the advent of ICT has in no small way depleted their natural mental ability to read comprehensively and effectively. This paper is of the opinion that students need to put their internet use under control, appreciate the fact that all life is not yet online and see the internet for now as only a means to an end. This paper concludes with the view that lecturers need to sensitize the students on the importance of reading to their intellectual and moral development so that reading can start to take its rightful position alongside ICT.