FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NEKEDE

OWERRI
P.M.B 1036
OWERRI, IMO STATE

SEMINAR ON
ONLINE READING HABIT OF STUDENTS IN
FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NEKEDE, OWERRI

WRITTEN BY

NAME: LAWRENCE CHIAMAKA BLESSING

REG. NO: 21EH/0060/BAM
LEVEL: HND I EVENING
COURSE: SEMINAR IN MANAGEMENT
COURSE CODE: BAM 328
DEPT: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION & MGT.
SCHOOL: BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT TECH

NOVEMBER, 2022.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Front page

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

Background of the study

Objectives of the Study

CHAPTER TWO

Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE

Summary of Findings

Conclusion

Recommendations

References

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Universally, and overtime, online reading have continued to play

indispensable roles in modern society. By conveying local, regional,

national and international news to readers, internet is a vehicles of

information and channels of communication across societal strata

(Bankole & Babalola, 2011). They help in forming, developing and

shaping public opinion as well as act as mirror of society (John, 2013).

Besides acting as a medium of education and entertainment to readers as

well as promotion of businesses, magazines also spearhead the fight for

socio- political justice. From mounting irrepressible opposition against

colonialism in the 1920s-1960s to exposing the Watergate Scandal in the

United States that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in

1974 (Rodman, 2006, p. 86,88); from reporting the economic fraud that

led to the conviction of Tafa Balogun as Inspector General of Nigeria

Police in 2005, to exposing the house refurbishment scam that led to the

resignation of Mrs. Patricia Eteh as Speaker of the Nigerian House of

Representatives in 2007 (Alawode, 2008), and unmasking the $6.8billion

fuel subsidy scam in 2012, it is obvious that across the world, magazines

act as the watchdog of the society (Adisa, 2009, p.13). Indeed, the mass

media fulfills the vital role of the fourth estate of the realm and defender

of public interest (Underwood, 2008).

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While scholars and practitioners in the print media industry point to global

economic crises in recent times (which reduced the purchasing powers of

readers) as one of the reasons behind the universal decline in magazine

circulation across the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa, they

however unanimously agree that the availability of the news on the

internet in recent times is the primary cause of the decline (Norris, 2000;

Domingo & Heinonem, 2008; Barthelemey et al, 2011; Nnagbo, 2011).

Reading has been and still a powerful means of communication. It can

form part of an individual to the extent that it becomes a habit which

once developed, become very difficult to break. However, what students

read and why they read can be difficult questions to answer. The art of

reading could be an interesting experience for students if they are

properly guided. A reading pattern cultivated early in life helps the

students to grow into an independent adult. In Nigeria, there is the

general outcry and a serious one for that matter, against the falling

standard in education. Several factors are attributed to this fall in

standard, but hardly has the establishment of the school and public

libraries been mentioned. The absence of school and public libraries and

the role they play to uplift that standard of education is ignorantly left

out. It is on this basis that this paper is written to highlight the role

school and public libraries can play in encouraging reading patterns

among of students in Federal Polytechnic Nekede which is a catalyst to

learning.

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Access to information is crucial to individual advancement as well as

corporate educational development. Information is indispensable and

according to (Yusuf, 2007), bridges the gap between knowledge and

ignorance. One of the major avenues for acquiring information is reading.

Reading is the foundation upon which other academic skills are built. It

offers a productive approach to improving vocabulary, word power, and

language skills. Tella and Akanade (2007), avert that the ability to read is

at the heart of self education and lifelong learning and that it is an art

capable of transforming life and society. Yani (2003), as Information and

knowledge management quoted by Oyeronke (2009), posits that reading

patterns of Nigerians are a matter of concern in our educational and

national development, stating further that in a developing country like

Nigeria, the concept of reading patterns should not be relegated to the

background.

The habit of regular reading, according to shabi and Udofia (2009),

refines the reader; it awakes something inside someone that makes him

or her take their own life more seriously. One can only imagine the

inspiration and noble feeling evoked after reading biographies of great

men and women. This is where the school and public libraries come in.

The availability of news on the Internet has engineered online readership

of magazines across Nigeria with print media organisations responding

by lowering production, reducing the number of hard copies that goes into

daily circulation and going online to remain relevant in the scheme of

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things. This is because of the numerous features and benefits of online

magazines over the print editions: it is cheap, convenient, portable,

interactive, spontaneous and on-the-go (Quandt et al, 2006; Talabi,

2011). Online magazine readership amongst students of Federal

Polytechnic Nekede has affected the magazine revenue in terms of

revenue from advertising and sale of print copies (Kirchhoff, 2010) as well

as impacted on all stages of the magazine production routines and

processes (Rogel et al., 2015).

In pursuance of the foregoing therefore, this study seeks to examine the

impact of online reading pattern among students in Nigeria, with

particular emphasis on of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo State.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study was to investigate the influence of online

reading on the reading patterns of students in two primary schools in

Nsukka town, in Enugu State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study aimed at

identifying the following:

1. To ascertain the activities students engage in at home.

2. To xray the number of hours the students devote in reading books,

magazines, playing games, watching television, chatting with

friends and listening to music.

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3. To examine the problems associated with the reading patterns of

students in Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri

4. To proffer solution(s) to the problems associated with the reading

patterns of students in Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

CONCEPT OF READING

In the worlds of Olanlokun (1999), “reading is a complex activity which

links the eyes with the mind to come up with the interpretation and

evaluation of written symbols” In the light of this, Okoro (2004), posited

that it is essential that students be introduced to the art of reading very

early in life even before the students steps in school. When this is done,

the end result is that students are linked early enough with the joys of

reading as a means of enjoyment, self development, love of literature and

learning.

Current attempts to define reading tend to regard it as a thinking process

with attention focused on comprehension. That is to say reading is a

mechanical and thoughtful process requiring the reader to understand

what the author is endeavour to communicate and to contribute his own

experience and thoughts to the problem of understanding.

Definition of reading pattern as put forward by Shabi and Udofia (2009),

cited in Johnson and Olsson (2008), as “having the habit of reading in

everyday life and not just for school purpose. In the words of Philip

(2009), “reading pattern tends to be associated with course work and

examinations, rarely with pleasure”. Yet

it is a known fact that whatever the discipline, students (students )

cannot fulfil their potential if they do not read widely. Ganguly (2004),

argued that reading pattern could be said to be a single aspect of the

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broad culture where reading for pleasure becomes a natural part of daily

existence. He emphasised that over time reading ceases to become the

uphill task of reading to pass examination, rather it takes on an intrinsic

value, reading for the sake of reading until an inclination to further

reading is developed.

Shabi and Udofia (2009), quoting Ezeokoli (2008), identified certain

elements of reading pattern which include these: voluntary reading; what

to read; frequency of reading and place of reading. In his autobiography

“Gifted Hands” an internationally acclaimed Neurosurgeon Benjamin

Carson (1990), as cited by Shabi and Udofia (2009), challenged Young

people to evolve a sustainable reading pattern. He shared a success story

of how he, a non- reader become a fluent veracious reader through the

effort of his mother, and the encouragement of the libraries in the local

library. Today, he is a strong advocate for promoting of reading pattern

among of students in Federal Polytechnic Nekede and adolescent.

EMPIIRICAL REVIEW

There is a tremendous body of literature on the impact of the internet on

journalism across the world which has been categorised according to

contextual matters, changes in journalistic practices, professional and

occupational matters and the role of the user as a content producer

(Michelstein & Boczkowski, 2009, p. 562-575). Thus, while some studies

have analysed how the internet has affected news content creation,

others have dug into the relationship between print and online magazines

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as it relates to readership, business model and production (Outila, n.d).

Given the fact that some of these studies overlap, it will be appropriate to

review them under separate headings vis-à-vis the research questions for

clarity purposes following the organization of review of studies along the

lines of the research objectives as recommended by Nwankwo (2006,

p.28-29).

After the internet was adopted in the magazine industry in 1994,

early studies showed that it was readily used in many phases of the news

production process especially in newsgathering and processing (Garrison,

1995; 1997; Davenport et al, 1996; Ross, 1998, p.146-149). Thus,

Garrison (2001); Barnhurst (2002); and Giannakoulopoulos and Kodellas

(2005) all found that journalists welcome the use of the internet as a

veritable tool for news content creation.

Dugo’s (2007) “Journalists’ appropriation of the ICT in newsgathering and

processing: a case study of Grocott’s Mail” was informed by the

researchers finding at the time that there were less publicly-available

research on the use of the ICT in the magazine industry in sub-Saharan

Africa (p.1). After adopting a case study research method and purposely

sampling members of staff of Grocott’s Mail in South Africa, the study

found that the internet is used by journalists to do background research

on news stories, verify accuracy of information and check what other

competing news outlet are reporting in the newsgathering process. It was

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also found that the internet however wastes company’s working time,

leads to laziness among journalists and requires multi-skilling.

While hailing the indispensable role of the internet in the news

production, Michelstein and Boczkowski (2009) in their incisive review of

studies on online journalism noted the negative impacts thus:

“Scholars have argued that online news has increased pressure

on journalists to carry out multiple tasks and combine

newsgathering and storytelling techniques in different media

formats (Cawley, 2008; LawsonBorders, 2006; Ursell, 2001;

Zavoina & Reichert, 2000). This pressure blends long-standing

workflows with novel demands, and expresses what Bromley

(1997) calls ‘multiskilling’ inhis study of news production in

several organizations in the USA. Klinberg (2005) found that

journalists complained that additional labour and speed pressure

undermine their ability to undertake their craft. Dueze

(2004:144) argues that news producers are concerned because

they are expected to carry out additional tasks for the same

salary as before” (p.568).

Within the Nigerian context, Usen (2010) in his analyses of the use of

internet in journalism practice in The Tide Magazine, Port Harcourt, found

that journalism practice in Nigeria is fully internet based. Ekhareafo et al

(2013) in “The challenges of magazine management in information and

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communication technology age: the Nigerian situation” found that ICT has

influenced the practice of journalism in Vanguard, Guardian, The Nation,

Compass and National Mirror. Findings from Adigwe (2012) and Uwom et

al (2014) also attest that the internet is a veritable tool in newsgathering

in Nigeria. As important as these studies are, it is however vital to note

that they more or less researched on the impact of the‘internet’ generally

on the newsgathering stage of magazine production. They seemed not to

be specifically dealing with ‘online magazine readership amongst students

of Federal Polytechnic Nekede’ vis-à-vis the production process of a

magazine.

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 CHAPTER THREE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

The study sought to ascertain the influence of interest use of online

reading use on reading patterns among students in tertiary institutions.

The finding revealed that although the students enjoy reading generally

and to a relative extent read web pages each day, they (student) also

spend most of their after school time in watching television, VCD, playing

computer games. The finding also revealed that although a good number

of respondents use the online reading for academic purpose,

nevertheless 52% spend less than two hours reading web pages each

day. This can hardly impact heavily on academic

performance.

For only quality time, purposely utilized can add value to one’s academic

performance. In it all the findings revealed that three is not much

influence of interest use on reading pattern of students in tertiary

institution.

CONCLUSION

The success of students in school depends to a large extent on their

ability to read and comprehend which is in turn dependent on the support

we give in promoting reading pattern. The role of the school and public

libraries in preparing students for success in academics is very crucial and

cannot be under mind. Availability of the right type of books especially the

beginning for the reading stage is very crucial to the acquisition of good

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reading pattern. Information through reading is the life blood of all human

activities.

Man’s existence on earth is meaningless if it is devoid of reading, Thus,

reading materials should be constantly made available to students . It is

difficult to be knowledgeable if one is not in the habit of reading widely

and since it is impossible for anyone to fases all the required reading

materials, the library fills the gap. The school and public libraries have a

role to play in this direction. Librarians should be in the forefront

championing new, innovative techniques and advocacy for reading

promotion. TV watching, video and online reading browsing time should

be limited so as to increase reading time. The variety of books availability

to students should be expanded to meet various reading needs and

levels. These are books that are not necessarily classroom texts but can

compliment what is learned in the classroom or help students investigate

into their own private reading interests

and habits. There is need for vigorous nationwide campaign for promoting

the reading pattern by a body like the Nigerian Library, Association

(N.L.A); the media, public mobile library; library; school library students

clubs and remedial classes.

It is hoped that this awareness of the value of reading pattern will be

created among of students in Federal Polytechnic Nekede . Students

should be encouraged to buy books with whatever small gifts of money

they received from well wishers.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

There abound great opportunities for students on the online reading for

academic use. Hence, the following recommendations are made.

1. Concerted effort be made to encourage students to use most of

their after school

time (leisure) for profitable activities on the online reading that will add

value to their academic performance.

2. Students should give assignment that will compel students to make

use of the online reading for academic reading.

3. Students should encourage students to give enough time for

personal study on the online reading . Most students look up to

their college teachers’ advice. This will help add value to their

academic information.

4. Students should give information about web sites where students’

can get unlimited education material information.

5. Colleges/Universities should have an online reading open to all

students’ with all necessary accessories.

6. The federal Government should establish functional libraries which

are adequately catered for and well equipped with current

biographic material which will in turn stimulate the interest and

increase the reading patterns of students /students.

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availability of books in Botswana primary schools: Implications for
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Chandilanga, H. (2006). Society: Online reading pattern lost?

Entertainment: Nation Online, July, 1.

Corcoran, B., & Evens, E. (1987). Readers: Text teachers. Stormy

Strafford: Open University Press.

Dako-Ampem, K. (2004). Reading patterns of standing 5-7 students in

Gaborone, Botswana: A pilot survey. Available:
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Eyre, G. (2005). The development and practice of literacy: A voyage of

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