INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND READING INTEREST OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Information Communication is often used as an extended synonym for Information Technology (IT). IT is a more general term that stresses the role of unified communication and integration of telecommunications, computers, middle wares as well as necessary software, storage and audio-visual systems which enable users to create, access, store, transmit and manipulate information. It also refers to the convergence of audio-visual and telephone networks with computer through a single cabling and link system. ICT covers any product that stores, retrieves, manipulates, transmits or receives information electronically in a digital form. For example: personal computers, digital TV, email, CD-ROMs, databases, internet and video conferencing. ICT is a valuable tool that enhances teaching and learning. For students, ICT provides opportunities to communication more effectively and develop literacy skills including critical literacy.
It is a valuable tool for researching, composing, responding, viewing and representing in English. It is regarded as an engine for growth and tool for empowerment, with profound implications for education, change and socio-economic development. Information and communication technology has cut across all facets of life including reading. Literacy in information and communication technology is fundamental to life in our modern technological society. Ezekwe and Moukebe, (2012) defined Information Communication Technology as the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer based information systems particularly software applications and computer hard wares. Allen (2004) stated that ICT has been drivers that re-engineered our society and commerce in recent years. The author added that they have presented opportunities for change that have led to unique benefits and that ICT plays important role in supporting literacy education in Nigeria in cultivating motivation, interest and affect in developing cognition and meta-cognition in the context of reading, writing, literature and character recognition
To equip the students to be literate, life-learners and global citizens in the 21st century, ICT must be integrated into reading to boost the reading interest of students..
Interest refers to the energizing of learner’s underlying needs or desires (Ames, 1992; Direck and Leggatt, 1998). Two distinct and at times competing form of interest have been supported by expertise research-individual and situational interest. Individual interest pertains to one’s long-term investment or deep seated involvement in the target field (Hidi, 1990, Schiefele, 1991). By contrast, situational interest refers to the momentary arousal or temporary attention that is triggered by conditions in the existing context.
