Browsing by Author "Luambano, Ireneus Vincent"

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    Information seeking behaviour of distance learning students in the hybrid environment: a case study of the Open University of Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Luambano, Ireneus Vincent
    The main purpose of this study was to examine information seeking behaviour of undergraduate distance learning students. Specifically, the study aimed at identifying information sources that they use, examining how and why they seek information, examining factors influencing their information seeking behaviour, and getting ideas on strategies of improving their access to and use of information resources. The study involved the Open University of Tanzania, and was carried out in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Morogoro and Kigoma regions. Data was collected from 261 respondents through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation and documentary review. The findings revealed that library and information service support to undergraduate distance learning students was inadequate as noted by lack of relevant and up-to-date reading materials in public libraries as well as lack of public library support for students in some regions. Moreover, ICT application in supporting students' access to information was inadequate, as noted by lack of computers with Internet connectivity in public libraries and lack of computer laboratories in some regions, which forced students to rely on print sources of information alone or rely on expensive Internet cafes. Lack of awareness of scholarly online e-resources and inadequate search skills are some other factors for their low use of e-resources. Students from more remote regions had poorer information access infrastructure. This study recommends computerisation of public libraries and equipping them with relevant resources in both print and electronic formats for access by students, provision of reliable and affordable access to e-resources to students, as well as prioritising in awareness creation of scholarly e-resources available and information literacy programmes.
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    Internet use by students of the University of Dar es Salaam.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2004) Luambano, Ireneus Vincent
    This study aimed at finding out the purpose for which students of the University of Dar es Salaam use the Internet. It was to determine if students were using the Internet for academic purposes. The study also investigated the level of students' access to the Internet, as well as the problems students faced in Internet use. The survey method was used as the basic method for data collection, employing the questionnaire and the interview schedule. Participant observation and focus group discussion are other methods used. The study revealed that the level of students' access to the Internet was low, and the major reason was that at the time of the study, computers with Internet facilities were inadequate. The findings of the study also revealed that the students who had access to the Internet were not using it effectively. They used it mainly for communication with friends and relatives than for academic purposes. The cause of this was found to be lack of skills required for effective use of the Internet. The study recommends the provision of more computers with Internet facilities, increasing Internet access speed, as well as providing more chances of training in Internet use.