Undergraduates' use of internet capable handheld devices at Babcock University, Nigeria

Abstract

PurposeEmerging technologies are shaping the way we use information and undergraduates are early adopters of technology; however the purpose of their use of these devices has been of concern. The purpose of this paper is to examine use of internet capable handheld devices among Information Resources Management (IRM) undergraduates at Babcock University, Ilisan, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachNon‐experimental ex post facto design was adopted for the study. Total enumeration was used to capture 220 IRM undergraduates. Using an adapted ECAR study, six questionnaire with reliability value (x=0.89) were administered; all questionnaires administered were retrieved and used for the study.FindingsThe study revealed that the majority (90 per cent) own handheld devices, used mainly for social networking, checking of information, instant messaging and e‐mails. Most of the students (70 per cent) are frequent users of their devices for internet activities, expending about 2‐100 h on a weekly basis. Factors which include slow network connection, limited access, and other ways of internet access, battery life and cost hinder use of the internet via handheld devices.Originality/valueThe use of internet capable mobile technology is crucial in engaging higher education students.