The Use of Internet Resources for Learning and Research among Nigerians Studying in European University of Lefke, Northern Cyprus

Abstract

A lot of the studies on the use of internet in contemporary educational contexts have focused more on students in their home countries. This study extends to investigate the use of internet resources for research and learning among international students (Nigerians) studying in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The study inquired if the students had access to the internet; their internet access points; the internet search engine mostly consulted by the students and the perceived benefits of using internet resources for learning and research. A qualitative study employing a focus group discussion was conducted among 25 conveniently selected students, which reveals that majority of the students use the internet daily for learning and research. Additionally, the study discovers that the students access and use the internet in their school library via their laptops and computers provided in the library. This signifies that there are adequate internet facilities on their campus. The students held the notion that the use of internet resources improves their research and learning, enables them to carry out assignments within a given deadline, permits the comparing and contrasting of different forms of literature, encourages self-learning, promotes peer learning and enables them to prepare better for examinations. These were realized through sourcing materials from search engines such as Google and Google Scholar as well as scientific electronic databases such as Web of Science, Science Direct and Scopus. This suggests that international students who are studying in TRNC have adequate internet facilities and scientific resources at their disposal.