Browsing by Author "Mallya, Esther Evarist"

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    An investigation of the usage of e-books for teaching and learning at the university of Dar es Salaam
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Mallya, Esther Evarist
    The main purpose of this study was to make an investigation of the usage of e-books for teaching and learning at the University of Dar es Salaam. The study had the following specific objectives: to examine the level of awareness of e-books among students and faculty, to find out the extent of e-books usage by students and faculty, to assess staff and students' attitudes towards the use of e-books and to find out challenges facing students and faculty in accessing and using e-books. The study involved 150 respondents, of whom 100 were students and 50 staff. To select respondents, purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used. The data collection methods included questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and observation. The study revealed that all respondents were aware of e-books and used them, and that most of them became aware through information literacy training programmes, assistance from librarians as well as colleagues. It was also revealed that majority respondents relied on personal computers (laptops) to access e-books, due to inadequacy of access points at the library. The findings, however, revealed that e-books were inadequately used for academic purposes. Findings revealed various challenges faced in accessing and using e-books, some such as slow internet access, inability to access full volumes, inadequate knowledge, lack of access points, cost of hardware readers, unsupported format together with problems associated with usernames and passwords. This study recommends increasing budgetary allocation for ICT infrastructure, provision of more access points, increasing in internet bandwidth, provision of information literacy training users, as well as provision of current awareness services.