New Media Technology Use and Short Attention Span Amongst Rivers State University
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
- What is level of short attention Span from use of new media technology Span from use of new media technology social media?
- What is/are the social network science students patronize most?
- What is the influence of short attention Span from use of new media technology on students’ academic performance in science?
- What is the influence of short attention Span from use of new media technology on students’ academic performance in science by gender?
- In what ways do activities of students on social media platforms influence their performance?
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter is a review of related studies to the topic Influence of New media technology on the Academic Performance of Rivers state University Students. It seeks to understand the influence these networks have on the social behaviour of Rivers state University youth by examining different concepts and other related studies that can help shed more light on the study and enable the researcher arrive at an accurate conclusion. The chapter is going to be treated under the following sub-headings;
Social Network
A social network is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on facilitating the building of social networks or social relations among people who, for example, share interests, activities, backgrounds, or real life connections. A social network service consists of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social links, and a variety of additional services. Most social network services are web-based and provide means for users to interact over the Internet, such as E-mail and instant messaging. New media technology sites allow users to share ideas, activities, events, and interests within their individual networks. It is the grouping of individuals into specific aggregates, like small rural communities or a neighbourhood subdivision. Although new media technology is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online.
When it comes to online new media technology, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. New media technology websites function like an online community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, politics and alternative lifestyles. Once you are granted access to a new media technology website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them.
The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to new media technology online. Another one of those benefits includes diversity because the internet gives individuals from all around the world access to new media technology sites. This means that although you are in the United States, you could develop an online friendship with someone in Denmark or India.
Not only will you make new friends, but you just might learn a thing or two about new cultures or new languages and learning is always a good thing.
As mentioned, new media technology often involves grouping specific individuals or organizations together. While there are a number of new media technology websites that focus on particular interests, there are others that do not. The websites without a main focus are often referred to as “traditional” new media technology websites and usually have open memberships. This means that anyone can become a member, no matter what their hobbies, beliefs, or views are. However, once you are inside this online community, you can begin to create your own network of friends and eliminate members that do not share common interests or goals.
New media technology Sites
These are service areas that help facilitate social interactions and relationships between people who are familiar with each other, strangers who share the same interest or ideas. These sites offer individuals the chance to create their own profiles on their account, which is a brief description that summarizes who the individual is to those who search for the person. They are websites that encourage people to post profiles of them—complete with pictures, interests, and even journals—so they can meet like-minded friends. Most also offer chat rooms. Most sites are free; some restrict membership by age.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter focuses on the procedures or methods used for collection of data for the determination of the influence of new media technology on the academic performance of students. This is done in order to ensure that the work is verifiable and authentic. This chapter explains the following.
Research Design
The design used in the study is the survey research design. This design or technique is used in collecting data, here people are asked to answer a number of questions (usually in form of a questionnaire or an interview). According to Ogili (2005), survey is a form of descriptive research that studies both large and small populations by selecting and studying samples chosen from the population for the study. It studies a group of people or items considered to be representative of the entire group.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
The aim of this study is to determine the influence of new media technology on the academic performance of Rivers state University students. This chapter is concerned with the presentation and analysis of data through the use of questionnaire which was distributed. One hundred and sixty (160) copies were returned with a response rate of 80%. The study answered the following research questions:
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
Introduction
This chapter is focused on the summary of findings, recommendation for further studies and conclusion on the study, influence of new media technology on the academic performance of Rivers state University students.
Summary of Findings
The aim of this study is to determine the influence new media technology has on the academic performance of Rivers state university students, to ascertain the amount of time spent on these new media technology sites and finally to determine the impact this sites has on the grade points of Rivers state University students. The research design used in the study was survey research design or method, this method was used because the design was considered most relevant as it gives the researcher a chance to make references and generations of the population by studying the sample obtained from the study, the selection of the sample size was carried out through the simple random sampling technique. This was to give equal opportunity to all the members of the population area to be selected for the study.
Conclusion
From the findings and discussion, the following conclusion emerged:
- time spent on social media has significant influence on students’ academic performance
- gender has no significant influence on students academic performance based on time spent on social media
Most students spend less time on their academic work and more time on new media technology sites, this goes to show that the interest of these students lie not on things concerning their academics but on the things they see or do on these sites. These sites most times can be seen by the students as an escape from the dull walls of the classroom, into a whole new world where boundaries do not apply. Respondents would rather be on new media technology sites, watch movies, rest than read their books in their free time.
Recommendations
The researcher made the following recommendations:
Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that seminars should be organized for the students on the danger of spending so much time on social media sites. Also, teachers should leverage on the dawn of new media technology as a medium of instructional delivery, assignment, information dissemination, and assessment so as to refocus students’ attention on the positive aspect of new media technology.
- Lecturers should integrate social media into their classrooms, to remind students of assignments, refer them to sources and connect them with their
- Academic counsellors can also consider assessing college students‘ media use and encouraging them to take breaks from media, particularly in class, studying or completing
- The use of new media technology sites that are centered on academic life rather than strictly social life can be implemented.
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