UTILIZATION OF ICT RESOURCES, FOR TEACHING OF ICTS RELATED COURSES IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE PROGRAM.

 

Information Technology (IT) is a generic term that covers the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of information. It involves the application of computers and communication technology in the task of information handling, 

information and information flow from the generation to the utilization levels. Information Technology is a Set of tools, processes, and methodologies (such as coding/programming, data communications, data conversion, storage and retrieval, systems analysis and design, systems control) and associated equipment employed to collect, process, and present information. In broad terms, IT also includes office automation, multimedia, and telecommunications. Information technology (IT) is the application of computers to store, study, retrieve, transmit, and manipulate data, or information, often in the context of a business or other enterprise. IT is considered a subset of information and communications technology (ICT). Information technology (IT) is a technology which uses computers to gather, process, store, protect, and transfer information. Today, it is common to use the term Information and communications technology (ICT) because it is unimaginable to work on a computer which is not connected to the network.

According to Zorkolzy (1999) has discussed IT from four different viewpoints, such as society, economics, technology and the individual. He says that common element of IT is the concept and volume information. Further he mentions the four features, which affect the quality of information, such as accuracy, content (The breadth/ Scope), regency and frequency of presentation.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) refer to a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, create, disseminate, store and manage information. Information and communication technology is equally an embracing concept that includes the systems, processes and people that are involved with technologically mediated communication. 

Furthermore, information and communication technology involves the handling of information (which includes text, graphics, audio and video) and communication processes using technology such as computers, internet, multimedia and voice over internet protocol (Osunade and Oluwasesin, 2006). In other words, we may define ICT as those technologies that enable the handling of information, its storage, processing and retrieval. This facilitates different forms of communication dissemination between human beings and electronic systems. The rapid developments in ICT resources have had many positive effects on almost all facets of human activities. In the educational sector, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources have made it possible for scientists, engineers, teachers and learners to access information from non-traditional sources from all over the world and have also facilitated the presentation and manipulation of data. As a result of the importance of ICT at this age, educational systems around the world are under increasing pressure to use the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources to teach students the knowledge and skills they need in the 21st century. Resources may be seen as any physical or virtual entity of limited utilization. Information and communication technology resources are the major factor in shaping the new global economy and producing rapid changes in society. According to Ekoja (2007) information and communication technology is the equipment used for capturing, processing, storing, transmitting and accessing information, which has offered librarians and other information professionals’ tremendous opportunities in information handling. Gambari and Chike-Okoli (2007) similarly have defined ICT as those computer-based tools used by people to work in an organization. It involves both the hardware and software ICT resources. According to Hetachew (2008) ICT resources could also include access to electricity, radio, television, telephone, computer, internet, overhead projector, fax machine, multi-media equipment’s etc. However, while talking about resources, one needs to look at their usage, as well as competencies possessed by the ICT lecturers. Competencies as observed by special librarians of the 21st century are the interplay of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes required to do a job effectively from the point of view of both the performer and the observer. It is important to note that many resources cannot be consumed in their original format without the required knowledge and the skills needed to transform them into consumable product. 

Technology is fast becoming an essential tool in Library and Information Service Delivery. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources are used for many activities in libraries, archives, publishing houses, government and other record management establishments.

Information and Communication Technology in libraries plays an important role in the way of information creation, transmission, use and enhances speed and efficiency of information storage and retrieval. ICT is a relatively new phenomenon among Nigerian academic libraries. (Marcelle, 2000).

Over the years, library information resources have grown in terms of size, format and variety. The digital era has seen the emergence of digital information resources in Nigerian libraries. Similarly the deregulation of the telecommunication industries has made ICT accessible and available in Nigerian Libraries (Gbaje and Okojie, 2010). Most academic libraries in Nigeria are beginning to automate or have not gone far with respect to the automation process. The implication of this scenario is that libraries need man power with adequate skills in library automation. To this effect, Library and Information Science Department in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria have generally revised their curriculum to include aspects of ICT in most courses taught in the LIS Department ABU, Zaria.

However, it is not clear how far the Library and Information Science are prepared in terms of human and material resources for the challenge of producing skilled man power for library automation. This study is then designed to investigate the resources available for Utilization of ICT Resources, for Teaching of ICTs Related Courses in LIS Department ABU, Zaria.

The following research questions guided the study: 

The broad objective of the study is to examine the Utilization of ICT Resources, for Teaching of ICTs Related Courses in LIS Department ABU. Zaria. The specific objectives are:

This study is expected to be useful to the students; the result of the study will be useful to students, because if there is a dearth of resources both physical and human it will be revealed. This will help Library and Information Science (LIS) to acquire these resources for the effective teaching of ICT. 

In addition, for library management, the findings of this study may establish some skills gap which the management may see the need to fill up in order to bring library services up to date and hence provide standard services to its clientele. 

It is hoped that the findings of this study would help the government to know what ICT resources the library schools lack with a view to making gifts or donations to the LIS. Researchers will equally benefit from this study because when the students are well trained, their future impact on research activities in libraries will bring about efficient library and information science services. Finally the result of this study would add to the existing pool of knowledge and would serve as a basis for further research in Library and Information Science.

The study investigated the resources uses for teaching information and communication technology in Library and Information Science Department, A.B.U Zaria Nigeria. The study also ascertained the utilization and quality of human resources for teaching ICT. Factors that enhance the use of resources, for teaching library automation were also explored in this study.  The study covered Library and Information Science Department, A.B.U Zaria. This Department was chosen because no such study has being carried out in this university. 

Information: It is the Knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction intelligence, news, facts and data that add to ones’ knowledge and make change to his behaviour. 

Information and Communication Technology (ICT): It is defined as a range of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information.

Information Technology (IT): Information Technology (IT) can be described as the main grand hero of the century, driven by extreme courage and unlimited ambition, IT replicates itself like a virus sweeping and overshadowing everything on its path. 

Library and Information Science (LIS): It the systematic body of knowledge related to the book and the library, including diverse aspects dealing with books as autonomous entities, but also those related to the entity of which they are a part. On the other hand, it has also been pointed out that Information Science is concerned with the principles and practices of production, organization and distribution of information and the study of information from its generation to its use and transmission in a variety of ways.

Library resources: They are the human and material resources found in the library, the Human resources include the users and library staff who manage the resources for effective service delivery to the users and the material resources include the information resources, library building, equipment and financial resource in the library.

Utilization: Utilization involves the ability of the teachers and students’ knowledge to operate ICT resources, their basic understanding of the operating system to save, copy, delete, open, print documents, photocopy, project information, format a disk, type, print, and use computer applications software to perform library job related tasks.