Use of Electronic Media for Academic Purposes among the University Students: special reference with faculty of social sciences, University of Kelaniya

Abstract

Within the Information society, electronic media are playing vital role. It has revolutionized the information system and sessions. Electronic media comes with various forms such as Ebooks, online databases, CD, DVD and etc. Through the electronic media Students make aware himself with the current information and updates. The study investigated the usage of electronic media by the students. The objectives of the study were to examine how the university students search required information from the electronic media and to identify the usage of electronic media for academic purposes and to ascertain the problems encountered by the university students in the process of searching of information. Structured questionnaires were distributed among 100 first year undergraduates in the Faculty of Social Science, University of Kelaniya. Questionnaire was the main data gathering method. It was identified that from the total population only 44% students use electronic media for their academic works. According to the results 20% percent of students use e-books to search information, 8% percent use online databases and 10% Percent of students use e-Journals. Another 6% use CD/DVD to find academic information. But, 56% Percent of students didn‘t appear to use electronic media for their academic works. Major Reason for this issue is students used to go for the university library for search information without electronic concept. Other Problems were lack of awareness about electronic media, Connection problems and Students used to surf internet only as a social media. Suggestions were made to conduct training sessions, workshops in order to awareness among stakeholders.