Library Portal | UWC Portal | National ETDs | Global ETDs
    • Login
    Contact Us | Quick Submission Guide | About Us | FAQs | Login
    View Item 
    •   ETD Home
    • Faculty of Arts
    • Department of Library and information Science
    • Magister Library and Information Studies - MLIS
    • View Item
    •   ETD Home
    • Faculty of Arts
    • Department of Library and information Science
    • Magister Library and Information Studies - MLIS
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    The use of Web 2.0 technologies by Library and Information Science students at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Thesis (11.45Mb)
    Date
    2016
    Author
    Zinyeredzi, Colin
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    The purpose of this research was to investigate the use of Web 2.0 technologies by Library and Information Science (LIS) students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). This research provided answers to the following questions: • Which Web 2.0 technologies are used mostly by LIS students? • What do LIS students use Web 2.0 technologies for? • How is the LIS curriculum crafted to include training on Web 2.0 technologies? • What benefits (gratifications) do LIS students derive from the use of Web 2.0 technologies? • Which Web 2.0 technologies are LIS students being taught? Blumer and Katz’s (1974) Uses and Gratification Theory which explains the reasons behind people’s use of Web 2.0 technologies was used to provide meaning to the research findings. A mixed methods case approach was used in this study and as a result, a questionnaire, content analysis and interviews were used to collect data. Findings of this study revealed that, between 72% and 97% of the LIS students do have accounts on the following Web 2.0 technologies: YouTube, Skype, Google Apps, WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook. It has been highlighted in this research that LIS students use Web 2.0 technologies for both academic and general purposes. Over 80% of the LIS students use Web 2.0 technologies for entertainment, keeping up-to-date, and meeting people as well as for communication with peers and lecturers. Analysis of the LIS Department’s curriculum documents, assignments as well as key informant interviews revealed that, while a module entitled "Web 2.0" does not exist, elements of Web 2.0 technologies are embedded in some of the LIS modules. The research results also showed that, between 89.4% and 96.5% of the LIS students either agreed or strongly agreed that Web 2.0 technologies plays a significant role in improving technology proficiency, extending learning beyond the classroom, providing a platform for entertainment, facilitating collaborative learning, improving knowledge sharing and collaboration, providing cheaper and efficient communication platforms, providing easier and faster access to information; and that a low level of complexity is needed to use Web 2.0 technologies (ease of use). Ninety five per cent of the LIS students indicated that they support the inclusion of Web 2.0 technologies in the LIS curriculum a sentiment also shared by five of the interviewed key informants. Based on the research findings the researcher has recommended that the LIS curriculum should be regularly renewed to address new trends and technologies.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11394/4946
    Collections
    • Magister Library and Information Studies - MLIS [55]

    DSpace 5.5 | Ubuntu 14.04 | Copyright © University of the Western Cape
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Theme by 
    @mire NV
     

     

    Browse

    All of RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Login

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    DSpace 5.5 | Ubuntu 14.04 | Copyright © University of the Western Cape
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Theme by 
    @mire NV