CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
In the parlance of the global economic and Socio cultural development, Internet has drastically occupied its multidimensional uses. Although its use has been common in the developed countries, developing countries are also at the pace of making its use in different sectors such as business, education, social organs, decision sector, service organization, political issue and others, so does Nepal. So the background of study has been build up with these pillars.
· Globalization and the Use of Internet
· Internet as a Tool of Social Change
· Internet use in Nepal
1.1.1 Globalization and the Use of Internet
The term globalization has acquired considerable emotive force in the recent years. Some scholars view it as beneficial, inevitable and irreversible process. Whereas, others view it as one that increases inequality within and between nations, threatens employment and retards living standards and social progress (IMF, 2000).
Globalization offers opportunities for worldwide development. Technically, globalization means countries having integrated into a globe. So, globalization can be considered as a historic process. It can also be said to be the result of human innovation and technical process. This refers to the movement of the people and the knowledge.
This term has come into common usage since the 1980's, which reflects technological advances. Hence, it can be said that it is not a recent phenomenon. The integration of different countries into one globe is made possible by modern electronic communication-Internet. Our world is interconnected through a complex web (Uimonen, 1997). In this context one writer says:
"We stand at a brink of another revolution. This one will involve unprecedented inexpensive communication; all the computers will join together to communicate with us and for us. Interconnected globally, they will form a network, which is being called information highway. A direct precursor joined an exchanging information using current technology"(Gates, 1995)
The web began at the end of the Second World War. The computer was developed during the war to enhance the effectiveness of automatic weapons. In the 1950's, all the funding for computer research came from the US military. Between 1958 and 1974 the US military bought 35 to 50 percentages of all computer circuits. In 1958 the military agency created the first example of the World Wide Web Arpanet (Mosco, 1997).
During the early 1980's the ARPANET was split into two separate networks. Some of its computers were linked together to form a new network called MILNET (a non classified military network) and the remaining machine stayed together as ARPANET. After the split, a computer that was a part of the network could still exchange information with a computer that was a part of the other network by routing it through a gateway computer. So, in addition to connecting together individual computers to form a network the designers of ARPANET and MILNET had progressed together entire networks of computers. In short, they had created a network of networks.
A new term was coined to describe this notion: an Internet work – i.e. an interconnected set of networks. The term became shortened to Internet, and this particular Internet (formed from the ARPANET and MILNET networks) became known as the Internet and was spelled with a capital "I" to distinguish it from any other Internet.
By the mid 1980s the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) decided to fund the Internet in order to increase the number of U.S. universities that had computers connected to it, and it was at this time that the Internet's phenomenal growth began.
Personal computers arose from the work of few brilliant amateurs. Steve Jobs was creating Apple computers and Bill gates his first operating system software to run IBM PC. Computer networks were an established tool in western military and business operation. As the military and business were perfecting forerunners of internet, individual engineers, university researchers, people interested in exploring the use of technology were trying to get the connectivity for the personal computer and telephone line.
Figure 1 shows that the number of computers connected to the Internet throughout the world is growing rapidly. The X-axis shows the number of computer connected to the Internet and the Y-axis shows the year starting from January 81 –January 95. In the year 81 the number of computer connected to the Internet was above 100. Its connectivity has risen from 100 to 100,000 in the year 89. There has been an exponential growth in the time period of eight years. Similarly, from the year 89 to the year 94 there has been an increase in the connectivity to the Internet from 100,000 to above 1,000,000.
Figure 1: Exponential growth in number of computers connected to the Internet.
(Source: NISC, 1994)
It is evident from the above discussions that the process of change in the society is a continuous process and is taking place in one or the other way. We can not circumvent the fact that we have been experiencing day by day, if we do so we may not be able to analyze the existing phenomenon in relation to the changes brought about by the technology in general and the Internet in particular.
1.1.2 Internet as a Tool of Social Change
There has been a considerable debate on the theories put forward by various scientists on how the society functions and the practice people follow in order to maintain some sorts of integrity among themselves. In an attempt to get engulfed into the very notion of the societal and cultural change, it might be helpful to review the concept of social change.
Social change is a term used to describe variation or modification of any aspect of social processes, social patterns, social interactions or social organization (Jones, cited in Rao's 1999. p. 543).
It is clear from the above definition that change is occurring and is a continuous process. In some society change is slow while in other it is fast. Change is connected to the past and is related to the future. For example joint family is being replaced by nuclear family and rural society is being replaced by urban society. Change on a whole will change the way of life, pattern of behavior and the set up of the society. Every societal happening influences changes. One of the reasons for change is the dynamic nature of people.
Ogburn (Cited in Rao's 1999. p.570) believes that Technology is the cause of social change. According to him "Technology changes society by changing our environments to which we live in turn and adapt. This change is usually in the material environment and the adjustment that we make with these changes often modifies customs and social institutions"
Another factor responsible for social change is breaking of new ideas, and technological inventions. It can be said that every major problem of modern society is either initiated by or at least strongly affected by technological change
Science and technology is always progressing and with passage of time new inventions are being made. Our history is full of such instances. Mass media today occupy a central place in both people's life and in society. The first medium of mass communication was the book. In the seventeenth century books were followed by periodical press, which came to serve especially the growing sphere of bourgeois politics and the capitalist economy of the time (Boyce et al., 1978).
Books and papers, followed by films, radio and television, were essential for the age of enlightenment. Mass communication has always served and played a role in society in one way or the other. The printing press and later the electronic media plays a pivotal role-now largely based on computer and other digital technologies.
Due to technological advancement means of communication and information have very quickly and rapidly changed. It is needless to say that it has changed the very course of social life. Who does not know that the newspaper, radio, television, telephone and now the electronic highway-Internet has changed the ideology of every society? Due to these means man has conquered time and space. It has brought tremendous change in social life. It has made it possible to use unsealed knowledge and to pass that on to our succeeding generations.
Internet allows people of different cultural origin to communicate with one another and provides access to accurate and up to date information. It enables long distance consultation and provides updates on current research. None of the cultures are changeless. Change occurs gradually and gently without altering the fundamental logic. Changes occur due to innovation, diffusion etc.
The innovation of Internet has helped in the process of cultural and socio-economic change - where developing societies acquire some of the characteristics of the developed societies. Now, distance is by and large insignificant, particularly by the arrival of electronic communication-Internet, between any points of the globe.
Internet now has become an indispensable part in people's lives in all developed and developing world-especially amongst the youth. In many developed countries Internet is playing a key role in changing people's lives, particularly among youngsters. How the use of Internet is bringing changes in education in a developing society such as Nepal is the thrust of this research work.
1.1.3 Internet Use in Nepal
After the adoption of liberal policy in 2001, the institutions involving in IT have significantly increased in the country. Mercantile Nepal Limited is considered as the first ISP in Nepal, which is operating it since 1994. One of the total Internet users, 30% use for commercial purpose, 20% home users, 20% international organization, 15% government sector, and the rest of 15% used in education sector. It is estimated that there are more than 1000 cyber cafes all over Nepal, with 50% located in Kathmandu valley. With the increase in cyber café, prices of Internet services have fallen down sharply. These days they are offering Internet services at less than half of dollar (NC Rs. 20 to 25 per hour).(Shrestha S, Marketing Strategy and Management 2005:94)
Information and Communication Status
The history of telecommunication in Nepal is very recent. It was not until 1955 the capacity of the local exchange in Kathmandu reached 300 lines (Goodman, et al, 2000). Telex service opened in 1977 and the first satellite earth station was installed in 1982.
The number of telephone main lines in use in Nepal at mid November was 2341668 (Ibid, 2000). Telecommunication in Nepal falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communication. The Nepal Tele Communication Corporation (NTC) is the incumbent public telecommunication operator and until recently held the monopoly over all aspect of telecommunication in the kingdom.
Nepal has five development regions, 75 districts and 3912 VDC'S Out of 1535 VDC's 39% have telephone access. (Goodman, et al, 2000).
Information Technology Sector
Nepal being a landlocked, mountainous, poor country and being isolated geographically, is also affected by the information revolution as this revolution is leading the society towards a more differentiated and individual kind of existence in other parts of the world.
In the early days and even currently in the rural settings where uneducated population reside, signals, sounds and signs have been the only means of communication to exchange information or ideas.
In Nepal radio, television, telephone and newspapers are the major means of information and communication but these are just localized and traditional. Today bilateral use of Internet for communication has been bestowed as a boon in certain urban centers and the rural areas of Nepal are much behind in the use of Internet. This is due to several reasons.
Firstly, absence of electricity in vast rural areas of Nepal is severely impeding the electronic means of communication. Secondly, high price of information technological equipment and low income of rural people is also the barrier of technological transformation. Third problem is that Information technology operates in English language, where half of the population is illiterate and very few people can communicate in English.
But, in reaching today's information society, there is a changing trend that is occurring in the field of communication. The main reason for this change is the fast development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has already changed the way we work, the way we shop, the way we learn and the way we communicate. Today, human beings are connected to new issues of solidarity, networks and webs.
In the urban areas, different communication centers, magazines and newspapers, telecommunication, advertising agencies, book distributors, video graphics, radio and television, printing press, cable network, Internet, e-mail, phone card and e-phone and news agencies are sufficiently available, either in the private forum or in public sectors.
Nowadays, ICT has brought a type of revolution. People talk about the Internet more than about computers. The Internet was first introduced into Nepal in 1993 in a venture of the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST) and a private company, Mercantile Office Systems (MOS). In 1994, after RONAST ended its ERNET project, MOS acquired the technology and set up the first commercial e-mail service with a link to Australia. When Internet, e-mail and computers first started in Nepal among the users nearly 80-90 percent were foreigners, INGOs and funded organizations. However the situation today is opposite that 90 percent of the users are local community and local professionals. The level of use and profile of users has changed significantly since 1997. (HIN, 2003).
Mercantile Communications (MC) established in 1994 has been at the forefront of Internet Evolution and is a cutting edge Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Nepal. It can be said that Mercantile has become the first company that led the nation in introducing new and appropriate information technology by giving individuals and small business the ability to use Internet as a tool to make their lives more productive.
At January 2005, there was 11-licensed Internet service provider, of which nine were operational (Table 1.2).
Mercantile was the first Internet service provider in Nepal. It commenced its service in the year 1995 with the subscribers numbered to 1347. Like wise, many other ISPs followed after Mercantile, like World Link, Computer land, which started in the year 1996. The subscribers of world Link 4350 exceeded the subscribers of Mercantile by 2003 subscribers. Similarly, there are other ISP which mushroomed - to name a few - Capital Online, Unlimited Nu, Media Infocom, Everest Net, Himalayan (Table 1.2).
Table 1.2: Internet Service Providers in Nepal
Situation up to 2005
Name
Start Up Date
Subscribers
World Link
1996
4350
Mercantile
1995
1347
Computer land
1996
887
Capital Online
1999
650
Unlimited Nu Media
Nov-99
555
Infocom
1999
500
Everest Net
Sep-99
373
Himalayan
Jul-99
190
(Source: Ibid, 2005).
There are numerous Internet cafes in Kathmandu and other urban cities such as Biratnagar, Pokhara and Nepalgunj and many individuals rely on these for access. According to the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) only 500 thousand people use computers and email in Nepal. Young people in particular, are being drawn to the use of e-mail and the Internet. Chat groups are particularly popular with young people. Older people use e-mail to keep in touch with colleagues, friends and relatives overseas. In country, they use e-mail as a more efficient way to transmit documents and official and important communication. In Nepal, computerized networking of local private offices, government ministries and departments is gradually introducing transparency in their activities and operations and creating a bridge between the state and society. This process is expected to build a culture of trust. In other words, technology has a key role in governance. Nepal has identified three areas of importance in formulating its information technology strategy and they are: universal access to information and communication technology, education and training necessary for ICT, and identification and adoption of ICT applications" (NPC, 2001).
Importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
If there is information flow concerning agriculture and its marketing, tourism, cottage industry, education, health and other social services there will be help to the development of the nation. ICT is important for people to make choices regarding their participation in the State, the market and the civil society. Sufficient information helps people to decide rationally and take the right course of action beneficial to them.
The development of ICT equally helps in socialization of people into citizenship, democratization of the State and political society, institutionalization of civic culture through unfettered flow of information, and rationalized use of power in social relations. Flow of information from different channels of communication, including the news media, can help to promote a culture of responsibility, accountability and credibility at all decision-making levels.
ICT holds the potential to alter the values of business, education, health care, governance, civic participation and social interaction. ICT allows pupils to participate in a rapidly changing world, in which work, leisure and the home are increasingly being transformed by access to a wonderful range of varied and developing new technologies. ICT can also make government services and institutions cheaper, more efficient and more accessible. Information and communication technologies are increasingly affecting many aspects of work, education and domestic life. Yet these rapid technological developments have not always delivered their intended benefits because our understanding of how such technologies should be designed to maximize their benefits to users has been insufficient.
1.2 Statement of the problem
Revolution has been created round the world to use Internet for extension of knowledge, scientific activities and education. But in Nepal we have no such initiatives to provide Internet access to educational institute of the whole country. Nepal being a country with complicated geographical condition as well as home of economically poor people, the Nepalese face many problems and challenges.
"There are significant inequality and disparity in the availability of Internet service. The western and rural portion of Nepal is under-served in all dimensions. Electricity has reached only about 15% of the nation in spite of the availability of free flowing water for potential of power generation (Goodman, et al, 2000)".
There are significant inequality and disparity in the availability of Internet service as well as for providing education. Though MC ventured to provide Internet service it has not been able to reach every nook and corner of the country. It has been centered to the valley only. In order to promote the spread of Internet throughout the country and enhance the quality of education, more extensive electrification and English language literacy are necessary.
Events today have made it clear that the world is interconnected through complex webs of transactional networks. This indeed is an expression of globalization. This pace has accelerated over the last few decades.
Having the Internet and the world it attaches to directly available to the students would be a good place to make a difference. College students have been the forefront of social change. Hence, providing quality education has become a greater challenge for all. Education is important because it provides the skills required for creating, adapting, and utilizing such technologies. But, it cannot be proved wrong that even the illiterate can take advantage of certain technological application. But to go beyond elementary applications education becomes important. Thus, education is a strong compliment to Internet use.
Education is singularly human capability. It opens access to the world. It enables one to comprehend, compare, analyze and communicate. It makes people more knowledgeable. It helps one to realm, recess, react and change oneself. Thus, education plays both intrinsic and instrumental value for increasing the knowledge. In this regard this study attempts to assess the role of the Internet in proving quality education to the college students of the Kathmandu valley and its impact on the culture of the society.
Using Internet will benefit society at large and vulnerable groups as well. It also tries to touch upon the extent to which Internet is being used and can be adapted to improve the lives in the improvement of the living standard of people, and general well-being of all members of any given society and culture.
If Internet is to be socially beneficial it needs to be turned to a more sustainable use. Thus, from anthropological perspective it is necessary to document, that the success of Internet does not lie in terms of sheer numbers of connected individuals and the benefits gained through its access but on the change and improvement it has brought to the society at large.
The very origin of Internet is strongly linked to education as it was universities and research institutes that electronic networks (Internet) were initially developed. Not only one can find interesting reference materials and valuable resources, but also one can download books and journals. Internet thus provides a wealth of knowledge at ones fingertips. The Internet also enables alternative teaching methods and long distance education, thus allowing more people to receive education. Internet in many ways is a gateway to the world of learning.
Various studies on different aspects like child labor, indigenous knowledge and various other social cultural related issues have been conducted. It has now become important to study the role of Internet (technology) in shaping the mind of the college going students.
Hence this proposed study attempts to explore the role of Internet in promoting the educational system and helping the college students to enhance their knowledge in various fields of life.
For this purpose important research questions have been structured which are as follows:
§ What type of change will take place due to the expansion of Internet use and whom will it affect?
§ Will only the young, wealthy, educated; computer proficient and English speaking qualify to use Internet?
§ Are we moving towards a new Renaissance era of enlightenment Vis a Vis the quality of education?
§ What are the implications of the use of Internet in the educational performance of college students of the capital city of Nepal?
§ How the education culture of college students has been changing due to the access to the Internet?
1.3 Objective of the study
Mankind of today is at the dawn of new era of enlightenment, communication. The break through of digital technology has changed the way we live, work, do business and interact. It is believed that the so-called information age will bring about radical change and improvement in the quality of life of human beings.
Countries all over the world are busy to meet challenges of the information of society of the 21st century. Thus, the general objective of the present study is to understand and describe the role of Internet in giving quality education to the college students of Kathmandu Valley. However, specific objectives are:
§ To assess the level of information access to the college students through the Internet
§ To describe the changes brought about by the Internet in the educational performance of college students of the capital city.
§ To analyze the cultural changes on today's college students due to the access to the Internet
1.4 Importance of the study
.
1.4.1 In the developed countries schools and universities manage their own computers and often provide students and faculty with free or low cost Internet access. Globalization has accelerated change and increased competitive challenges. Colleges and universities must respond to these new times by ensuring that students are equipped with up to the minute skills and knowledge that may match changing circumstances. Thus, the use of Internet as a source of knowledge and how it has influenced society and culture is very important to study.
1.4.2 This study is equally important for researchers involved in the research about use of Internet in developing society. That researcher may be student of Masters level to complete their thesis, any type of researcher institute or research department of organization
1.4.3 Likewise, this study important for school, collages and other educational institute for library use as reference material on Internet use.
1.5 Rationale of the Study
None of the cultures are changeless. Changes occur gently and gradually without altering the fundamental logic. The innovation of Internet has helped the process of social and cultural economics change-where developing countries acquire some of the characteristics of developed countries. Hence, it has now become important to study and understand how Internet has helped the college students and to what extent to march along in today's competitive world. But still there is no authentic study regarding the use of Internet by the scholars in Nepalese context. Though there has been handful of research and study on the use and level of Internet use in the context of Nepal, but there has been no study from the Anthropological point of view. Probably, this will be the first to study and advocate the existing problem.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
This proposed study covers only 60 students, from three colleges of Kathmandu and does not represent whole of Kathmandu due to limited time and resource. Limited colleges have been taken and the fact and the findings may not be generalized and applicable to everywhere especially outside Katmandu.
There are several methodological weaknesses in the survey. Most important, surveys are the poor ways of studying the impact of the Internet. We cannot simply ask people to self-report how their behavior has changed. It is well known that it is very difficult to estimate time consumption; people often rationalize their behavior when they are asked to introspect and report on what they did.
Respondents from Patan Multiple College were co-operative and helpful and no obstacle came on the way. The visit to Kathmandu College of Management was also time consuming as it was in the visit to Kathmandu University. The respondents from Kathmandu College of Management were quite reluctant to fill up the questionnaire because of their exams and they seemed quite tensed. Only the limited numbers of questionnaire could be collected
1.7 Organization of the Study
Dividing the whole thesis into five chapters has done the organization of this study.
The first chapter deals with the background of the study, the problem statement, objectives, conceptual framework and the rationale of this research project.
The review of the literature and the relevant studies has been placed in the second chapter.
The third chapter deals with the research methods and the process of data analysis.
The most important part of this research: the major findings and the interpretation of the results are placed in the fourth chapter.
Finally, the summary of the findings and discussion and the conclusion drawn from the above findings has been placed in the fifth chapter.
In addition to these chapters Bibliography, Appendices, Abbreviations and Questionnaires have also been prepared at the end.
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
Review of literature means reviewing past research studies other relevant materials in the related area of the study so that chances of duplication can be reduced.
The main reason for the full review of research in the past is to know the outcomes of that investigation in areas where similar concept and methodologies has been used successfully. Further, an extensive or even exhaustive process of such review may offer vital links with the various trends and phases in the researches in one's area of specification, familiarizing with the characteristic prospect, concepts and interpretation with the special terminology, with rationale for understanding one's proposed investigation. In the connection a review of previous related research projects will help the researcher to formulate a satisfactory structure for the project.
A pitfall to be avoided in a related literature selection is presentation of series of abstract, one per paragraph. By doing this, the author preset his/her audience with tedious reading and misses the opportunity for lying meaning for ground word for he study. It is much better to organize by topic and to point out how the studies presented related to one's questions. It is not necessary to discuss about the past studies in detail i.e only important result are to be described. Enthusiastic beginning researchers often imagine their proposed study is unique and that there is no related research available. A though search will almost always turn up several research papers related to at least some aspect of one's study. Even if there should chance to be no research in the field, there is usually literature of a theoretical or speculative nature that should be included as part of the background of a study.
Thus the related literature section should conclude with a discussion of the findings and their implications. Here, the author shares the insights he/she has gained from the review of the literature and points out the gaps presently existing in what is known about hi/her topic, and thus leads directly to the question he/she proposes to investigate.
There is a significant importance of review of literature in any types of research works
1. Identification of the problem: review of studies help to identify the research problems in which previous works have been conducted. It provides a basic for identifying the areas for future research and extent of past work.
2. It helps to determine the methodology for research work.
3. It helps to draw delineation and scope for studies.
4. It helps to avoid unintentional replication of previous studies.
5. It helps to interpret the significance of researcher's results in a precise manner.
Since the effective research is based upon the past knowledge, a survey of the past literature helps to eliminate the duplication of what has been done and some times provides useful hypothesis. In this connection a review of previous related research projects (literature) will help the researcher to formulate a satisfactory structure for his/h project.
Thus to review the related literature, a researcher is advised as the to identify the past research work studies by reviewing books, articles, reports etc. Review should be made in terms of the objectives, methodology, finding gaps, deficiencies etc.
As this chapter is concerned with literature review, the researcher has reviewed following aspects.
· Review of Conceptual Aspects
Review on Supportive Materials
2.1 Review Of Conceptual Aspects
Internet came to Nepal in 1994. Before people were exposed to newspaper, radio, and television. Mercantile-the first Internet Service Provider provided us with another medium Internet in Nepal. Before the advent of Internet people were exposed to newspapers, radio, and television with radio and television mostly used. The coming of Internet provides yet another medium for those people seeking information and entertainment. But Internet is more than just an information and entertainment.
There has been a drastic change in the educational pattern in our country. As the human race and the living pattern of human's have evolved, so have the thinking and the educational pattern. People have now become conscious and are aware of the importance of education in one's life. This change is no doubt brought about by globalization and by the introduction of technological advances-the modern electronic communication-Internet.
The use of Internet has escalated, may it be for the purpose e-mailing, downloading films, games, or getting information of the outside world. This electronic media-Internet is still young it had managed to attract large followings of young people. We are evolving an Internet generation. Internet has taken the world by storm. This new and innovative creation is changing human life and ways of doing things.
We are aware of the intervention of Internet, it's use in people's life in general and educational sectors in particular. It can be assumed that the use of Internet brings changes in education. Student's access to the Internet via college facility or through direct access at home might have some implication on their performance. This can lead to the changing perception and attainment in their quality of living and their working environment. So, we can presume some social change due to the afore-mentioned causes in the arena of educational culture.
Access to information either to students or for adults was through radio, newspaper, and television. Today, Internet has become an added facility. Internet has access to information, access to educational materials; it enables long distance consultation and provides update on current research. But this is centered to only limited centers of urban cities especially in Kathmandu valley
This has created a lag between the - urban and the rural centers of Nepal. Rural people are unable to reap the access to the modern facilities due to the absence of electrification, low-income rate, low literacy rate and lack of universal access to communication.
Education culture in Kathmandu has undergone a drastic change because of the use of Internet and computer. Change in educational system means that people are aware of the importance of education. Education can raise people's awareness. This in turn brings change in the value system and makes the foundation strong. This then leads to the change in society i.e. it brings social change.
Kathmandu, is fully equipped with all the modern facility and innovation. In this regard it has now become important to study and understand how Internet has helped the college students and to what extent to march along in today's competitive world.
Hence, the main purpose of this study is to discover patterns of Internet usage among college students in Kathmandu Valley. This study tries to find out whether the Internet is being used as a source of information, entertainment or education. How much time they spend connected to the Internet, the purpose of surfing the net. Another aspect of this study is to find out where the college students surf the Internet at home or in cyber cafes'. And how the use of Internet is bringing changes in the education in a developing society, as Nepal is the thrust of this research work.
· The net’s operating patterns
· Services from Internet
· Use of Internet in the Developed World
· Use of Internet in the Developing World
· Worldwide Internet population
2.1.1 The Net’s operating patterns.
According to Gates, (Cited in Moscow, 2000 p.343) web is a network of computers that are connected to one another through different means of communication. When we log on, we dial the phone number that puts our computer in touch with server. Our personal computer (PC) and the server are connected by a phone line. Once connected to a server we can use that link to connect to computers enabling us to send and receive messages by electronic mail, look for information, such as games, and download it to our computers, enter a 'chat room' and talk to a group of people who are on-line at the same time, buy anything or even express our opinion.
Typically, we pay for the service in the telephone charge and a fee to the service provider who owns the server.
2.1.2 Services from Internet
Internet provides services such as electronic mail, FTP, telnet, IRC, Usenet, www etc.
Electronic Mail: Through electronic mail, or e-mail as it is often called, a person whose computer is part of a network can send messages and exchange information with any other person on the network. In many ways electronic mail is comparable to sending an item through the regular postal service, as both services involve the exchange of information between one party and another. Electronic mail can be used to send the same message to a number of people, but it's most common use is to facilitate one-to-one communication.
When sending a letter through the regular post the sender needs to know the address of the person to whom they are sending the letter. The same applies with electronic mail. Every computer on the Internet has a unique address called its Internet address or more informally its e-mail address.
A person's Internet address consists of his or her user-name followed by the name of the computer at which the person works. The first part allows the Internet's e-mail delivery systems to determine whom the message is for, and the second part states where that person can be found on the network. Internet addresses have the following form: user-name@computer-name
Within any Internet address the user-name is placed first, followed by an "@" symbol (pronounced "at"). The name of the computer is placed after this. By way of example consider the following (fictional) Internet address: john@curtin-uni.edu.au. Here "john" is a person's user-name and "curtin-uni.edu.au" is the name of the computer on which he works.
FTP: The Internet enables users to copy programs and data files between other computers on the Internet and their own. This process is called file transfer, and the program that is used to do this is called FTP (for "file transfer protocol"). FTP enables the creation of FTP archives-repositories of programs and other information that can be freely accessed by anyone on the Internet.
For example, if an Internet user writes a useful computer program and wishes to make it available to other people on the Internet, one way to distribute it would be to e-mail it to each of his or her colleagues. However this way it would only reach a relatively small audience. A more efficient way to make it available to other people would be to "make it available for FTP".
When a program (or some other piece of information such as a report or a story) is made available for FTP this means that, although it is stored on one particular computer, it is stored in such a way that anyone else on the Internet, who happens to know that it is there, can transfer a copy of it to their own computer. The original is still untouched, but now the other person also has a copy of the resource.
Telnet: Telnet is a program that allows a user to connect to another computer on the Internet and run programs that are residing on that computer. FTP and Telnet have quite different functions. FTP enables programs (and other files) to be copied from another computer, whereas telnet enables programs that reside on another computer to be run without first having to make a copy of them. Many programs that are not available for FTP (either because they are too large or because they are copyrighted) are nonetheless available for use via telnet.
IRC: Users within the Internet community may communicate electronically with each other using several methods of communication. Electronic mail is one, another is through a "chat" program known as IRC.
IRC is akin to CB radio in that it enables groups of people to chat together without having to be in the same place. The major distinction is that while CB radio provides verbal interaction, IRC provides a textual interaction amongst its users. Participants do not speak to each other, as such, but type in lines of dialogue at their computer terminal, which then appear, on the screens of all the other users.
Participation in an IRC chat is akin to reading a play that is being written as you watch-a play in which you are one of the participants. With many thousands of people using IRC at any given moment, obviously not all can be participating in the same conversation at once or complete chaos would result; rather, IRC consists of many parallel conversations called channels. When a user runs the IRC software they must select a channel in which they wish to participate. From that moment-or until they change channels-they only see the dialogue of those other users who are conversing on the same channel.
In summary, IRC is a medium for conducting informal group conversations over the Internet. It does not have the relative privacy of electronic mail or the huge readership of Usenet news. Unlike those other media, however, it is live. There is virtually no delay between a person in the United States typing a line of text and it being received by participants in Australia and Europe.
Usenet: Another significant facility available to most users of the Internet is Usenet news, also known as network news or just news. Unlike electronic mail, which allows a user to send a message to one or two specific people, Usenet news enables one's messages (commonly called postings) to be read by a potential audience of millions of people.
Usenet news is best thought of as an electronic "bulletin board". Any message posted to the Usenet bulletin board (i.e. sent via a computer) can be seen by (potentially) everyone else on the network. This is akin to a regular paper-and-thumbtacks bulletin board often seen in busy shopping centers. Messages posted on the board can be seen by anyone who walks by-they are not addressed to individual people, but are visible to everyone at large. Bulletin boards, be they regular or electronic, are thus useful when a user wishes to broadcast a message to a large number of people. Electronic mail, on the other hand, is useful when sending a message to one or two specific people.
World Wide Web: is a browsing and searching system that enables users to explore a seemingly unlimited worldwide "web" of information. The system links related documents using a powerful information presentation method called hypertext. In a Web document, many of the pieces of displayed information will be "pointers" or "links" to other information that can be accessed just by clicking on the link. This enables users to access information without needing to know its location in advance. Users need only know of a convenient starting point that is likely to have a link to the desired resource. Various search engines are developed to make the retrieval of information through the Internet easier. These search engines are the especially designed www Internet sites that have managed hundreds and thousands of links to search the required information just after entering few key words. However, the general Web sites we develop for listing information of organizations might also be linked to other Web sites. (North, 2003)"
2.1.3 Use of Internet in the Developed World
Technology in itself is not a determinant of change but only a facilitator. Research has shown that the Internet is playing a very important role in the evolution of the digital technology. Although it has seen remarkable growth over the last few years, its dispersion remains highly asymmetric. "It is impossible to estimate the exact number of users but the present estimates range between 40-60 million in a total of over 130 countries. The Internet currently connects approximately two-and-a-half million computers (NISC, 1994). It offers services such as electronic mail, file transfer and remote login. Internet users in developing countries only constitute a small percentage of total users. Thus, while an estimated 3.1% of the population in high income countries use the Internet, only 0.0002% of population in low income countries does so" (ITU, 1995). Although more and more countries are getting connected to electronic networks, many of them still do not have full access to the Internet.
Australia, too, has been a leading Internet nation since the early 1990s. For its part, Japan has a well-developed wired Internet market, but is also known for mobile Internet usage, as of June 2001 (NAISP, 2001).
More than half of the nation is now on line. Individuals continue to expand their use of computers and the Internet. As of September 2001, 174 million people (or 66% of the population) in the United States used computers and 143 million Americans (about 54%of the population) were using the Internet an increase of 26 million in thirteen months. Children and teenagers use computers and Internet more than any other age group" (DDC, 2002).
In 2001, more than 5.8 million, 49% of all households had at least one member that regularly used the Internet from home, an increase of 1.1 million from the previous year. This was somewhat less than the gain of 1.4 million between 1999 and 2000.
More than 5.8 million households, or 49% of all 12 million households, had at least one member that regularly used the Internet from home in 2001, up 1.1 million (+23%) from 2000. This was somewhat less than the gain of 1.4 million (+42%) from 1999 to 2000. In 2001, 7.2 million households had at least one member who used the Internet regularly, either from home, work, school, a public library or other locations. This group represented 60% of all households, up from 51% in 2000. Alberta and British Columbia tied for first place, with 65% of their households accessing the Internet from any location in 2001 (HIUS, 2002).
"The current population of Japan is about 120 million. About 25% have used the Internet as of 2001 (Figure 2). This represents a growth of 168.43% over the figure for 2000.
Figure 2: Statistical information on individual use
Source: www.Kiko-net.com.
The Internet has rapidly increased its presence and importance in Japan. It is clear from Figure 2 that the number of Internet users from different spars like domestic user, office and school user, has increased to a considerable percent. The X-axis shows the people in millions who use the Internet and the Y-axis shows the year. From the year 1997 to 2001 the number of domestic user has increased from 1 million to 12 millions.
The results showed that the change in the number of users at office has not changed rapidly but the Domestic/Office/School users have increased their use from one million in the year 1997 to 10 millions in the year 2001, which is a significant increase in the percentage. In addition there has been an initiation of the use of Internet on mobile set from June 2000 and the number has crossed the number of user at the Office/School.
Internet came recently in Nepal whereas; in Japan service of Internet is accessible through mobile. The use of Internet in office does not show much significant change. Thus, this shows that the Internet has increased its importance and presence each passing year.
2.1.4 Use of Internet in the Developing World
Computer penetration in India is very low, only 0.5%. Ninety five percent of the computers can be found in the eight largest cities. The computers in Indian households are relatively modern. An overwhelming 75% of all households with a computer have bought the computer within the last two years. Computer owners use computers for job related work, entertainment/games, children’s education and entertainment. Households that have had Internet access for more than six month report increasing their use of the Internet.
Penetration of Internet access among computer owners is relatively high, about 46% have an Internet connection. Use of Internet in India is a fairly new occurrence. Internet access in India is not limited to computer owners with access at home. Half of the computer owning households without Internet at home accesses the Internet outside the home" (Johan et al., 2000).
The Internet came late to Bangladesh, with UUCP email beginning in 1993 and IP connectivity in 1996. By July 1997 there were an estimated 5,500 IP and UUCP accounts. A year later, that number had grown to 13,000, and today there are 22,000 accounts and an estimated 100,000 users (Larry, 1999).
The number of Internet users in the country is constantly increasing and is likely to soar manifold with its spread in nooks and corners of Pakistan in few months. Sources in the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said that the current number of Internet subscribers had reached 150,024 and 140 licenses for setting up data networks or Internet services had been issued. Pak Net, alone has the largest number of Internet subscribers with 60,000 connections while it plans to have 50,000 new connections this year (TN, 2001).
The Maldives moved onto the information superhighway in 1996, when the sole telecom company introduced Internet service, Dhiraagu, a joint venture between the government and Cable & Wireless Inc of the UK. Since then, the company has been the sole ISP in the country. Though available in the Maldives, “the high charges and slow speed do not permit the use of Internet effectively.” Internet access has been available to only a few of the country’s 200 islands and that the majority of the population has not enjoyed access. (UNDP, 2002).
There will soon be close one and half billion people in the Indian sub-continent while the global Internet users population is already close to 150 million. But the South Asian spread and adaptation of the Internet continues to fall far short of the region's potential. The key outcome of a four day workshop on the issue drawing participants from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal - has been a set of concrete policy recommendation as well as five project proposals aimed at increasing the diffusion of the Internet in the region and at reducing both Internal and regional imbalances.
India has the strongest Internet capacity (skill-sets, training, IT workforce), but the Indian Internet continues to be a largely urban, English-oriented phenomenon. Bangladesh, on the other hand, is institutionally strong in quickly rolling out projects for the rural sector (for example the Grameen Village Phones) - though it does not yet have a formal Internet policy. Pakistan, to its credit, does not enforce multiple metering for dialup calls to ISPs (local phone call charges are not added to the ISP's per-minute charges). Pakistan was also the first South Asian country to open up its ISP market to the private sector (in 1995), and now has close to 40 ISPs in operation, accounting for about 250,000 users. India has around a dozen ISPs, and close to 800,000 Internet users. Part of the challenge is in creating regulatory environments, which nurture a proliferation of private ISPs, while also ensuring that government monopoly telecom players do not squeeze out the private ISP sector.
Over the last three years, South Korea, as one example, has become the world's leading nation for broadband services, with over 6 million subscribers and a penetration of DSL and cable modem service of more than 30% of households (NAISP, 2001).
2.1.5 Worldwide Internet Population
The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that there are 4.2 million of people online in Australia making it 32% of the population. Similarly with the population of 1.2 billion people, China has a very large number of people that could potentially use the Internet. However, while 1.5 million users is a large number, is a very small percentage to the overall population. There could be a number of factors holding back mass usage of the Internet in China. These factors could be government policy that limits public access, poor telecom infrastructure, lack of computer owned by the citizen as well as the cost of going on-line. (Table 1.1)
The table reflects the percent of population online and the users in million. The comparison of percent of population online and the users in million is in small percent.
Most of the countries as shown in Table 1.1 seem to suffer from the same problem as mentioned above, ranging from high cost of PC's owned to lack of computer owned and Internet access to the lack of comprehensive telecom infrastructure that can support widespread internet access.
The figures of the various developed and developing nations showed that the use of Internet has been one of the major means of communication. The use of Internet by the people is basically attributed to and limited by the infrastructure development of the countries and the per capita consumption pattern. Internet is now being used not only for mailing, making friends but also for gaining additional information, sharing views and ideas, for supplementing views and ideas, gaining new skills, etc.
Table 1.1: World Wide Internet Population
Name of Countries
Percentage of Population Online
Population Online (In millions)
Australia
32
4.2
China
0.1
1.5
Bangladesh
0.005
0.007
Hong Kong
13.4
0.85
India
0.08
0.8
Indonesia
0.04
0.08
Japan
13.4
14
Malaysia
3
0.6
New Zealand
15.8
0.561
Philippines
0.34
0.2 – 0.32
Singapore
17
0.51
South Korea
7.8
3.5
Sri Lanka
0.07
0.014
Taiwan
14.3
3.01
Thailand
0.2
0.131
Vietnam
0.014
0.011
Source: Commerce Net, 1999-2000.
The figures of the various developed and developing nations showed that the use of Internet has been one of the major means of communication. The use of Internet by the people is basically attributed to and limited by the infrastructure development of the countries and the per capita consumption pattern. Internet is now being used not only for mailing, making friends but also for gaining additional information, sharing views and ideas, for supplementing views and ideas, gaining new skills, etc.
2.2Review on supportive material
This part of chapter reviews on how Internet as tool of social change and reviews on supportive materials. Inclusive points of this part are :-
2.2.1 Internet and Social Change
Engst (1993) makes the following observation about the Net's appeal if so many people from so many cultures and walks of life are connecting to the Internet, something has got to be there. Don't scoff; no one makes all these people log on everyday and spend time reading discussion lists and sending e-mail. People aren't forced to increase Internet traffic at a whopping rate of 20 percent per month. They use the Internet because they want to, and few people are happy when they lose Internet access for any reason…People are connecting to the Internet because the Internet is becoming more than just an elite club of techno weenies – it has become a virtual community in and out of itself. (pp.12-3)
Early years of life are crucial in behavior formation. An individual's early years effect very much for the formation of his/her behavior. For the purpose of the theory of culture and learning behavior, culture can be defined as the socially transmitted knowledge and behavior shared by a group of people.
Furthermore, it can be said that culture plays a vital role in the process of change, the learning behavior practiced and the social structure formed.
Thus, culture determines the formation of personality. Cultural patterns are too built by the behavior of a person. So, both are inter-related and are inseparable. They both influence each other. Other determines one and one influences the other.
2.2.2 Internet Use byStudents
"Internet use is a staple of college students education experience. They use the Internet to communicate with professors and classmates, to do research, and to access library materials. For most college students the Internet is a functional tool, one that has greatly changed the way they interact with others and with information as they go about their studies (Steve, 2002)".
Internet is not popular among students, as most either does not have the time for it or access to it. "There is only so much time a board students has and there really isn't enough time to scour through web sites in search of content while preparing for examination. Only 11.3% who access the Internet use it as an educational tool. The student community represented by school and college goers comprises 38% of net users but most use it to answer mail, look for information and download and upload software. But Internet as a medium of education has miles to go as even teachers are unsure of how to handle it (Baker, 2001)".
Survey of College students in the continent of United States conducted by Jones (2000) reflects that 83% of the students own their own computer. One third of the students (33%) find that majority of their computer use occur at school. In contrast, the present study showed that more than 70% of the students use Internet at places other than their home. What we could infer from this is that most of the students may not have capacity to have computers at their home or they do not want this instead.
According to the survey by BBC, The generation that grew up alongside the Internet now cannot live without it, a US survey has found. The libraries of US universities are gathering dust as nearly three-quarters of students confess to using the Internet more than traditional books for research. The students made clear that the internet is the information cornerstone of their lives, not just on school projects but on every subject that matters to them. (BBC News, 2002)
"College students are heavy users of Internet compared to the general population. Use of Internet is a part of college student's daily routine, in part because they have grown up with computers. Nearly four fifths of college students (79%) agree that Internet use had a positive impact on their college academic experience (Steve, 2002)"
The UNDP Asia Pacific Development Information Programme (APDIP) and Cisco Systems, Inc., announced an innovative partnership to bring Internet education to students in developing countries in the Asia Pacific region.
The information economy will demand an unprecedented level of technology literacy from tomorrow's workers. Yet in many Asia Pacific countries there is a severe shortage of trained networking specialists. While IT curricula are becoming more common place in developed countries, colleges and universities in developing countries are often not able to provide up-to-date IT curricula due to a lack of trained staff and equipment. Unless this changes, these countries run the risk of being left behind in the information age, widening the gap between rich and poor countries," said Phillips J. Young, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System's Operational Activities for Development in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei at a press conference in Singapore (UNDP, 1999)
About 20,000 students and youths are currently learning computer and ICT applications in the remote communities of Nepal which otherwise would not have been able to even imagine what computer and ICT can do to their lives. It has transformed the lives of the students and youths living in the rural communities. It has opened new vista of knowledge to them of which they were completely ignorant. The digital gap is being bridged and corresponding gap in the quality of education between rural and urban schools is being bridged as well. Access to Internet and E-mail becomes the key to access to knowledge (GJC, 2000).
Furthermore, "many African-American children lag behind their white counterparts. African-American children are much less likely to use computers in school than are white children: 56 percent of white students but only 39 percent of African-American students use computers in school. African-American students also have less access to computers at home: 36 percent of white students are in families that own computers while only 15 percent of African-American students have access to home computer" (Irving, 1996). It certainly appears that "the risk of a widening gap between the information 'haves' and 'have nots' is a real one (Gonzalez et al., 1995)".
Research conducted by Steve Jones in 2002 report to have found that college students use the Internet as much as communication as they do for education. But just as they use the Internet to supplement the formal parts of their education they go online to enhance their social life. According to that survey 42% of college students say they use the Internet primarily to communicate socially.
"In January 1994, Vice President Gore announced the Administration's commitment to connect every classroom, library, hospital, and clinic in the United States to the NII by the year 2000. The Administration seeks to ensure that public institutions can serve as public access sites so that all Americans, regardless of income, location, or disability, can benefit from the NII (Ibid, 1995)".
The Internet and the World Wide Web are formidable that works as part of well-established and proven pedagogical methods. With these as just one set of challenges, access is not at hand for those most in need of access to education. According to our Department of Education, in the US only 14% of poor and minority classrooms are wired. Thus, even for developed countries, diminished resources, lack of educators, and safety in the schools are higher priority issues than figuring out how to make the Internet and the Web new vehicles for improved learning (Masullo and. Ruiz, 2000)
Mahabir Pun is a Nepalese educational pioneer who is trying to break the cycle of poverty in his mountain village of Nangi by taking it into the computer age. Having founded Himanchal High School, he sees the Internet as the way to improve the children's education. "The Internet has been a great help for Nangi, even though we do not have a connection here. We can use it to generate money for the village, to provide quality education for our children, to provide information about our culture to children all over the world, and to invite volunteers to come to our village. I have seen that even a small village like mine can benefit a lot from the Internet. (APNIC, 2001).
In India and China, the Internet began in the universities. While India's Education and Research Network is older, dating back to 1986, the Chinese Education and Research network (CERnet), and Science and Technology network (CSTnet) are stronger. CERnet provides over ten million accounts (most for students) at 900 Chinese campuses and CSTnet provides 800,000 accounts on 100 campuses. Both operate backbone networks and conduct important networking research (Wu, 2002). The number of PCs in all levels of schools in China and India.
2.2.3 Internet Use and Income
"It is estimated that more than 75% of Internet users live in high income economies, which contain only 14% of the global population. Internet use in countries like Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and United States has reached more than half the population. This is in stark contrast with the rest of the world. For example, Internet use in South Asia is only 0.4% of its Population. (UNDP, 2000)".
The majority of Internet users continue to be young, male and wealthy. Most studies peg the average age for Internet users at between 30 and 34. Most users are college educated (64 to 93 percent) and the vast majority is in high-income brackets: 25 percent make $80,000 or more. The average income is between $40,000 and $63,000 per year. The overwhelming majority of Internet users -- about 77 percent -- are male" (Zuelow, 1997).
2.2.4 Internet Use by Teenagers
Study was conducted to discover the Internet usage among teenagers in and around MSC (Multimedia Super Corridor) south of its capital city Kuala Lampur. "The main aim of this study was to discover patterns of Internet usage among teenagers, in and around MSC, an area expected to have the most impact from the Internet revolution. Another important aspect of the study was to find out job preference of the teenagers. Preliminary results indicate that majority of the teenagers view Internet as an entertainment medium and majority of the them surfed from their homes. They depended least on their parents in terms of assistance in using Internet. Even though there are a lot of media hypes regarding job prospects in the Information Technology (IT), not many of the teenage respondents choose to be in IT. Many still prefer to be professionals, like lawyers, engineers, accountants and doctors. The results of this study have broad policy implications not only for Malaysia, but also other countries, especially developing countries (Safar, et al, 2000)".
2.2.5 Internet Use Vs Socialization
The study found that the more time people spend on the Internet, the less time they spend communicating with other people. In particular, 27% of heavy Internet users report spending less time talking to friends and family over the phone. 15% report spending less time physically with friends and family, and 13% report spending less time attending events outside the house. Leaving aside the fact that this means that 85% of heavy Internet users do not report spending less time with friends and family, the real question is whether the study has an appropriate definition of social isolation (Nielsen, 2000).
Nie and Erbring´s study claims that an increase in time spent on the Internet results in less time spent with real human beings. In regard to time spent on the Internet, two-thirds of the users report being online less than five hours a week. To support the idea of Internet being isolating, one quarter of regular Internet users report spending less time with family and friends. While four percent of regular Internet users had decreased their hours at work since gaining Internet access, 16% said they were working more hours without cutting back at time spent at work.
When looking at people with access to the Internet, the study shows more similarities than differences in their online behavior. The average user accesses the Internet for six to seven different activities (Johan, et al, 2000)
2.2.6 Global Use of Internet
"A new social class is being created, mainly amongst the young generation who find the Internet an effective tool for their career development and the globalization of their thoughts and creativity. Many Internet users have stated that a whole new world has been opened to them, they are getting a new source of knowledge, and they are also making relations with many good friends and organizations worldwide. But some say that going online is a very costly habit, which sometimes appears as an addiction and causes a big waste of time. A group of young people, notably from the affluent section of the society, is abusing the Internet by using it mostly for entertainment, which is certainly not a healthy practice for a poor country like us. But the saddest news is that Bangladesh has yet to set up an academic network to provide Internet access to the large number of university teachers, students, scientists, and researchers who play vital roles in building a better nation" (Azad, 1997).
UNDP in Bhutan targets youth with new Internet project July 19, 2000– "A UNDP project launched this week in Bhutan will help unemployed youth gain access to the Internet and improve their information technology (IT) skills and future income-earning opportunities. Internet development and employment generation are two important priorities for the government and for UNDP in Bhutan. The project will provide free access to the Internet through terminals at Internet cafes in Thimpu to many of the city’s unemployed and underemployed youth, and to students. It will enable project managers to gauge current skill levels and interest in IT by young people. UNDP- "We want to ensure a brighter future for Bhutan's youth, both women and men, through encouraging access to IT, and we want to forge ahead in the area of connectivity and in helping to close the growing global information gap". The initiative will help to increase the interest level in IT by Bhutanese youth, who currently do not receive much exposure to the Internet in the country's schools. It will also help identify a cadre of future IT professionals to receive further training, and will strengthen private sector involvement in offering IT services in Bhutan (UNDP, 2000).
The expansion of the Internet service has been one of the major concerns in the context of the globalization process. The technological changes have been in occurrence from the very beginning of the human civilization. The role of the new technology upon the culture and the functioning of the society are based on how the facilities are provided and the technological discourse rendered its importance. The various studies done in the developed and the developing world showed that the massive increase of the use of Internet is in one or the other way shaping the society into a new form. Moreover, the change in the educational culture can also be attributed to the changes made by the easier access to the Internet. Similarly, the students in the Kathmandu valley also accrue some kind of adaptation pattern and the changes due to the Internet use.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology can be referred as different methods of conducting any research whereas research denotes searching or studying about a definite problem with the help of various tools and reach the point of solution to the problem. It particularly consists of determination to the specific problem, confirmation of the subject matter to be collected, analyzed and interpret along with fixation of the research design. Sampling procedure, data collection procedure, data processing, period to recover and the angle of interpretation of presented data in either in tabular or graphic form.
Therefore this chapter contains the following.
· Research Design
· Sampling
· Data collection method
· Rational of selection of the study area
· Data collection procedure
· Data Processing
· Reliability and validity of data
· Analytical tools
· Operational definition of selected concepts
.
3.1 Research Design
An architect prepares a blueprint before he/she approves a construction. An Army prepares a strategy before launching an attack. An artist makes a design before he/she executes his/her ideas. So also the researcher makes a plan of his/her study before undertaking the research work. This will enable to save time and resources. Such a plan of study or blue print for study is called a research design (strategy).
Thus, a research design is a plan for the collection and analysis of data. It presents a series of guideposts to enable the researcher to progress in the right direction in order to achieve the goal. The design may be a specific presentation of the various steps in the research process. These steps include the selection of a research problem, presentation of the problem, formulation of hypothesis, conceptual charity, methodology, survey of literature and documentation, bibliography, data collection, testing of the hypothesis, interpretation, presentation and report writing.
Several writers have advanced several definitions of research design on the subject of research methodology. Some of them are presented below:
"A research design is the specification of methods and procedures for acquiring the information needed. It is the overall operational pattern of framework, of the project that stipulates what information is to be collected from which sources by what procedure. If it is a good collected from which sources by what procedure. If it is a good design, it will ensure that the information obtained is relevant to the research questions and that it was collected by objective and economical procedures."
[1]Research design is the plan, structure and strategy of investigation conceived so as to obtain answers to research questions and control variance. The plan is the over all scheme of program of research. It includes an their operational implications to the final analysis of data. The structure of research is more specific. It is the outline, the scheme, and the paradigm of the operations of the variables. Strategy includes the methods to be used to gather and analyze the data. In other words, strategy implies how the problems encountered in the research will be tackled.
[2]While these definitions differ in detail, together they give, the essential of a good research design. Firstly, it is a plan that specifies the sources and types of information relevant to the research used for gathering and analyzing the economic constraints; both time and cost budgets are typically included.
In actual research, though the researcher might try to achieve the best, but he/she will have to work keeping practical difficulties and situations into solution. Each researcher fully will realizes that all observations are subject to error, which creep in the study and that it is impossible to remove observation errors, even if best efforts are made to remove them. Some of the errors might be removed if man observers observe the same subject and phenomena repeatedly, which is costly and time consuming process and even them some of the observation errors might remain. It is also possible that all the observers who are put on job might not have the capacity to observe things to the desired extent and many things might of escaped even when the observer is observing in personal basis. A research design basically focused on.
i. The sample design
ii. Observational design
iii. Statistical design
Sampling design deals with the method of selection the subjects to be observed in a given study, where as observational design relates to the conditions under which observations are to be made. Statistical design deals with the question or how may subjects to be observed, how many observations are just to be forgotten and how many are to be analyzed. Operational designs are concerned with specific techniques by which procedures specified in the sampling, statistical and observational are to be carried out. But these designs are inter connected with ache other. Thus decision in one design is bound to influence the other and in many cases these overlap each other as well.
This is an exploratory research. The present study tries to identify the social and edu-cultural changes brought about by Internet on the students. It also tries to understand how the present system differs from the traditional method of learning to cope up with the competitive and challenging environment. Thus, the methodological framework of present study is exploratory.
3.1.1 Purpose of Research Design
Research design is essential for the whole study and helps in finding our deficiency in expectation of the starting of work.
Basically there are two purposed of a research design viz.
i. To provide answers to research questions; and
ii. To control variance.
According to Kerlinger "design helps the investigator obtain answers to the questions of research and also helps him to control the experimental, extraneous and error variance of the particular research problem under study".
[3] Since each research problem is prepared with a view to solve some problem therefore the purpose of research design is to control variance the other purpose of research design is that the researcher should find answer to research questions validly, objectively, accurately as well as economically. Research problem can be stated in the form of hypothesis. There is a wide range of possibilities of testing theoretically, at least, as many designs of research exist, as there are possibilities. Designs are carefully worked out to yield dependable and valid answers to the research questions epitomized by the hypothesis. We can make one observation and infer that hypothesized relation exist on the basis of this one observation, but cannot accept the inference so make because the result depends on how the observations and inference were made. Adequately planned and executed design helps greatly in permitting us to rely on both our observations and inferences. In the words of Kerlinger "without strong stress on research questions and on use of design to help provide answers to these questions the study of design can degenerate in to an interesting but sterile technical exercise".
[4]By constructing an efficient research design the investigator attempts
i. to maximize the variance of the dependent variable influenced by the independent variables or variables of the substantive research hypothesis.
ii. to control the variance of extraneous or unwanted variables that may have on effect on his/her experimental outcomes but in which he/she is not interested.
iii. to minimize the error of random variation (fluctuation).
3.1.2 Characteristics of a good Research Design
It is quite difficult to find a perfect research design free from its own strengths and weakness. However, a good research, design should possess the following four characteristics.
Objectives: An objectivity research design implies to examine the evidence independent of beliefs, bias, emotions, perceptions, attitudes, hope and fear of any individual. More specifically, it is a degree of agreement between independent observers regarding the final scores assigned to different individuals. Hence, in order to ensure objectivity of the collected data a fairly objective measuring instrument must be used.
Reliability: Reliability means consistency, dependability, predictability, and stability of response or measuring instrument. In other words, a reliable instrument will give trust worthy and stable results if it is applied to the same individuals or the object from time to time, provided the trait being measured had not itself changed in the mean time. The test-retest method, parallel forms (or alternate) methods, split-half method and the method of rational equivalence are the basic methods of estimating reliability tests.
Validity: Validity is the degree of agreement between actual measurement and proposed measurement. If we measure what we are intended to measure the n the measurement is said to be valid. In other words, validity of a test is concerned with the accuracy of the test scores when compared with the performances of an independent standard criterion. Validity of a test is determined by experimentally by obtaining the coefficient of correlation between the scores of individuals on the given tests and some independent standard test called criterion.
To differentiate between reliability and validity, consider an example. Let us consider a clock, which is quite good and accurate in time but is set ahead by, say five minutes. Its time reading is reliable (consistent). But are not valid as judged by standard time.
Generalizability: The fourth important aspects of good research design are extent of generalization of the results/findings. The degree of generalization usually depends on population definition, sample size and statistical tools used in the analysis.
3.2 Sampling
The number of colleges in Kathmandu and the students enrolled in these colleges in Kathmandu is quite large, that is why purposive sampling method is applied in this study. Although, three colleges with 20 students from each college are taken as a sample size, it is just a pioneering effort towards understanding the existing status of computer use, particularly Internet in Kathmandu.
Three colleges viz. Patan Multiple College, Kathmandu University and Kathmandu College of Management were taken as the sample size.
The Patan Multiple College is one of the government colleges under Tribhuvan University. It is by far the largest tertiary educational entity in Nepal. Being a government college, students from most of the educational faculties get enrolled and the fee structure of this college is comparatively less as compared to other private colleges making it an affordable college for all income groups. Hence, the main aim of choosing this college is to detect the influence of IT in the government college and the students enrolled in it.
Secondly, Kathmandu University College was chosen. This is the University College, which has a high fee structure and is affordable to limited few. This college provides education on technical subjects as well. Technical subjects, by and far requires extensive as well as additional and intensive study and consultation. This is an electronic age. Hence, to study the influence of IT in such a college and enrolled students appeared more relevant and challenging.
Kathmandu College of Management was taken as another sample size. The main purpose of choosing this college was basically because it is the college that offers a good MIS program.
Of the 60 students interviewed both male and female were of equal number. The respondents were chosen to make the equal representation of both the sexes in order to have comparative analysis in terms of sex difference.
3.3 Methods of Data Collection
Both primary as well as secondary data were collected. Primary data was collected on the spot that is on college itself. Whereas secondary data were collected from various reports, books, journals, magazines etc. To collect secondary data different institutions, organizations, libraries, ISPs were used.
During the period of this proposed study, various universities/ organizations, libraries were visited. The reference materials available in these libraries do not include thesis reports of the masters/doctoral degrees done in Nepalese context in the field of this proposed academic research. The pertinent literature of the other developed countries in the field of such research had been extensively reviewed and the relevant ones have been cited as per their relevance to this study.
In an attempt to get a comparative analysis of Internet use pattern and the associated issues regarding the rural and the urban students, this study has focused on urban center: Kathmandu. Then the analytical inferences have been drawn using various variables associated with the education and the information technology. Moreover, the selection of the colleges/universities according to the subject areas of their degree, the various levels (10+2 level, Undergraduate and Graduate levels) and the private and public institutions are selected to acquire the inter-societal analysis of the Internet use. So, it is considered essential to know the situation of the students in Kathmandu valley, who are bestowed with the modern facility and recent innovation, their effort to acquire more knowledge.
3.3.1 Questionnaire
A standard questionnaire (Annex 1) was developed to collect and record the information, which meets the objectives of the study. The aim of this survey was to capture what the role of Internet represents to the college students. Here target groups were the college students, who were questioned on various grounds. The information given in this questionnaire by the respondents is used in this project.
3.3.2 Interview
It is not possible to acquire all the required information from the questionnaire. So, qualitative information was acquired through personal interview. In addition the students' activities were observed (of the respondents) while interviewing and recorded their observational remarks on the particular issue relevant to the objective of the study. A suitable checklist was developed to guide the interview. (Annex 2).
3.4 Rationale of the Selection of the Study Area
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is selected as a study area for this proposed study. The data show that the maximum numbers of Internet Service providers (ISPs) are localized in the Kathmandu valley. Students' access to the Internet service either through the Internet Cafes or at their own house/college is increasing rapidly. The Internet use in the academic sector by the college students is continually advancing. In this regard it is important to assess the impact of Internet use in terms of students change in social culture and their educational performance.
3.5 Reliability and Validity of Data
The researcher is well aware about the importance of the data collected during the study. Efforts are made to minimize the possible sources of errors during the phases of the study. The researcher has extensively reviewed the similar types of studies conducted by other researchers and the types of data collection methods and instruments used. Combinations of methods were used to ensure the reliability and validity of the data collected from different sources.
3.6 Analytical Tools
The data collected were analyzed using the Microsoft-Excel software. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for the analysis. For the quantitative analysis descriptive statistics like, tables, frequencies, percentages, means, etc. had been used to interpret the results. For the qualitative data, different types of indices, cross-tabulations etc. are used.
3.7 Operational Definition of Selected Concepts
In order to make the terminology used in the phrasing of the research questions clearly understood, selections of key terms are defined here. Following concepts/variables used in this study have been defined as below:
Internet: The Internet is a network-of-networks formed from combining thousands of smaller networks-together to create a single larger entity.
Web Site: Web site is a collection of web pages.
Online: Directly connected to and /or controlled by a computer in order to use the information.
Computer network: An interconnected collection of autonomous computers.
CHAPTER IV
Data Analysis and Interpretation
After the required data relevant to statement of the problem have been collected, the researcher moves towards analyzing and interpreting them for finding out the solution of earlier stated problems. For this purpose, the obtained data have been sorted out into homogeneous nature and suitable tables have been prepared to show that the data presented will be more obvious and understandable even at a glance. Besides, such presentation of data in tabular form also helps the researcher to analyze and interpret by using suitable mathematical application.
Therefore, this chapter has been prepared taking into account the following aspect of researche:
· Social characteristics of Respondents
· Sources of information
· Objective of using internet
· Educational level of student
· Time spent of student on Internet
· Place of accessing the Internet by students
· Internet as tool for acquiring additional information
· Educational culture and Internet
· The digital Device
· Influence of Internet on society
· Age group of internet affecting
· Obstacle in Development of internet society
4.1 Social Characteristics of Respondents
In order to study social characteristics the respondent were categorized into three groups- age group, sex group and ethnic group along with their economic status.
4.1.1 Age, Sex and Ethnic/Caste Composition of Sample Respondents
The representations of age group respondents were divided into two sub sets, i.e. between 18-22 years and 23-25 years. Similarly, both the male and female respondents were taken into account for the study purpose. However ethic group included Brahmin, Newar, Chhetri and Rai. Their percentage have been shown in table 4.1
Table 4.1
Age, Sex and Ethnic/Caste Composition of the Sample Respondents
Profile of the respondents (N=60)
Frequency and Percentage
Age Group
18 – 22 years
28(46.67)
22 – 25 years
32(53.33)
Total
60(100)
Sex Group
Male
30(50.00)
Female
30(50.00)
Total
60(100)
Ethnic/cast group
Brahmin
28(46.66)
Newar
20(33.33)
Chhetri
10(16.66)
Rai
2(3.33)
Total
60(100)
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004
Out of the 60 students interviewed both male and female were of equal number. The respondents were chosen to make the equal representation of both the sexes in order to have comparative analysis of them responses in terms of sex difference. During the survey the female respondents were more cooperative than the males. Majorities of the respondents were Brahmins followed by Chhetri. This shows that the frequency of occurrence of the Brahmins is high. This might be due to the chances of occurrence of Brahmins while selecting the respondents according to their class roll number. The age of two of the respondents studying at first year of the Undergraduate level came out to be 23 and 22 years of age. While asked during the group discussion, they had the same reason for their higher age in comparison to their other fellow friends. They joined the Undergraduate level at the age of 23 and 22 to study Information Technology even after they completed their Undergraduate level of study in English and Business Studies.
Table 4.1 shows 46.67% of respondent on 18-22 age group and 53.33 % of respondent on 23-25 age group. Similarly 46.66% of respondent of Brahmins cast, 33.33 of Newars, 16.66% of Chhetri and 3.33% of Rai.
4.1.2 Economic Status of Respondents
The economic status of the respondents was divided into three subsets i.e. lower class, middle class and high class according to their age Sex and Ethnic/caste group.
Table 4.2
Economic status of the Sampled Respondents
Profile of the respondents (N=60)
Economic status (frequency and percentage)
High
Medium
Low
Age Group
18 – 22 years
8(44.44)
15(53.57)
5(35.71)
22 – 25 years
10(55.55)
13(46.42)
9(64.28)
Total
18(100)
28(100)
14(100)
Sex Group
Male
12(54.54)
10(40)
8(61.53)
Female
10(45.45)
15(60)
5(38.46)
Total
22(100)
25(100)
13(100)
Ethnic/cast group
Brahmin
15(51.73)
10(66.66)
5(62.5)
Newar
8(27.59)
10(66.66)
2(25)
Chhetri
50(17.23)
4(26.67)
1(12.5)
Rai
1(3.45)
1(6.67)
0(0)
Total
29(100)
15(100)
8(100)
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004
Among 60 respondents interviewed, are divided into economic status as high, medium and low class. Similarly the respondents are taken into account according to their age group, sex group and ethnic class. Age group is sub-divided into 18-22 years and 22-25 years. Sex Group is sub-divided into male and female and ethnic group is sub-divided into Brahmins, Newar, Chettri and Rai. In this table the frequency and percentage of the Internet users are shown.
While asked during the survey out of 60 respondent 18 were high class among which 8 (44.44%) were aged between 18-22 years and 10 (55.55%) were aged between 22-25 years. Majority of the respondent were medium class totaling 28 among them 15 (53.57%) were aged between 18-22 years and 13 (46.42%) were aged between 22-25 years. Rest 14 belongs to lower class among them 5 (35.71%) were aged between 18-22 years and 9 (64.28%) were aged between 22-25 years. Again the respondents were grouped by sex. Most of them are high class, out of which 12 (54.44%) were male and 10 (45.45%) were female. Majority were medium class among them 10 (40.00%) are male and 15 (60.00%) were female. Lower class totaling 13 respondents, out of them 8 (61.53%) are male and 5 (38.46%) are female.
The respondents were again sub-divided into ethnic group. Majority were high class totaling 29 among them 15 (51.73%) were Brahmin, 8 (27.59%) were Newar, 5 (17.23%) were Chettri and 1 (3.45%) were Rai. Among the medium class of 15 respondents 10 (66.66%) were Brahmins, 10 (66.66%) were Newar, 4 (26.67%) were Chettri and 1 (6.67%) were Rai. Among the Lower class of 8 respondents, 5 (62.5%) were Brahmins, 2 (25.00%) were Newar, 1 (12.50%) were Chettri and 0 (0.00%) were Rai.
4.2 Sources of Information, Entertainment and Education
Sources for various kinds of information that the sampled respondents used are given in Table 4.2.
Table 4.2: Sources of Information for Various Kinds of Information
Sources of Information (N=60)
Regular
%
Irregular
%
Never
%
Total
TV
75.0
25.0
0
100
Radio
15.0
85.0
0
100
Newspapers
28.3
41.6
30.0
100
Books and novels
15.0
40.0
45.0
100
Magazines
10.0
80.0
10.0
100
Internet
33.3
53.3
13.3
100
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2003.
Internet generation has at its disposal a large array of mass media and other communication gadgets. Apart from the Internet, this study shows that TV, radio and newspapers are still the main sources of information, entertainment and education. However, the Internet is very close behind. This is understandable because radio and TV are available in almost all houses in the Kathmandu valley. Even though many now own computers and some with link to the Internet, computer and Internet are yet to be part of household.
By the field survey the researcher found out of 60 respondent 75% gets information from TV regularly and other 25% gets regularly. 15% of respondent regard Radio for their regular source of information, 85% irregular. 28.5% uses Newspaper for a regular source of information, 41.6% use irregularly and other 30% never use Newspaper ass source of information. Books and novels is a source of information for about 15% of the respondents regularly, 40% irregularly and for 45% of the respondent, never receives information from books and novels. Some 10% receives information from, magazine regularly, 80% irregularly and other 10% never receives information from magazine 33.3% use internet for regular source of information 53.3% use internet for irregular source of information and other 13.3% never use internet for information.
4.3 Objective of Using Internet
The objective of using the Internet by the students is given in Table 4.3.
Table 4.3: Objective of Using Internet
Objective of Using Internet (N=60)
Male (%)
Female (%)
Total (%)
E-mailing
25.00
21.66
46.66
Chatting
20.00
10.00
30.00
Visiting Educational Sites
13.33
10.00
23.33
Total
58.33
41.66
100
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004.
A sizeable percentage of the respondents (46.66%) used the computer frequently for E-mailing. We can say that the Internet use has made the communication between/among people at different locations faster. The exchange of information will be within few minutes. Among the respondents there is a significant number of students frequently or moderately using the Internet to chat. In contrast only 23.33% of the respondent have been frequently using the Internet for visiting educational sites. So, the use of Internet for the purpose of retrieving some information to enhance students' educational performance could be made effective if the students use the Internet not only for chatting.
According to the Pew Internet think tank, 86% of college students use the Internet and rely on it for every dimension of life on campus. Over half believe that e-mail has improved relationships with professors, saying they are able to express ideas to a teacher in an e-mail in a way they would not feel able to in class (BBC News 2000).
Provision of availability of Internet in colleges and universities in Nepal is still a far- fetched dream. If efforts s to be made to make Internet available and accessible to students from colleges and university as well it would have abundance of benefits as the shy students could also share their opinion and get their problem solved.
4.4 Education Level of Students
Among the total , 50% of the surveyed students were studying at the undergraduate level and the other 50% at the Masters level. The ranks of the students that have been chosen as the sample size do not fall on the top ten position of the college. Some are above average, most are average, and some are even below average as reported by the respondents themselves.
The respondents were from different faculties. Some are from Science; some from Management and some are from Humanities. Hence, their use of Internet may differ as per their needs. Some may need to use it frequently for updated information and accurate data. Whereas, some may just use it as reference and quote scholar's citation.
4.5 Time Spent by Students on Internet
The time spent by students on using Internet is given in Table 4.4. The table describes the time spent per day, per week and per month.
The 28.33% of students spent 1-2 hours in a day on the Internet while about 3.33% spent 1-2 hours in a month on the Internet (Table 4.4).
Table 4.4: Time Sent on Internet by Respondents
Length of Time
Number of Students (60)
Per Day
Per Week
Per Month
1-2 Hours
17
1
2
2-3 Hours
0
6
12
3-4 Hours
2
10
7
4-5 Hours
0
2
1
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004.
The table shows that the majority 85% of college students owns their own computer. Three quarters 74% of the college students use the Internet four or more hours per week, while about one-fifth i.e. 19% use it twelve or more hours per week.
The figures of this study has shown that the students using the Internet daily are also in significant number in comparison to the number of people using the Internet in some of the developing countries of Asia. The time spent by the students for chatting and searching information related to their field of study can be of greater value to achieve academic excellence if they would have used it appropriately. The responses that seek to find the relation between the use of Internet and its relation to the academic performance is explained in the sub-sections ahead.
4.6 Place of Accessing the Internet by the Students.
The place for accessing the Internet is given in Table 4.5.
Table 4.5: Place for Accessing the Internet (N=60)
Place
Male
Female
Total
Home
14
10
24
Cyber café
15
15
30
Working place
2
0
2
College
0
4
4
Total
31
29
60
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004.
Due to the cost and probably other factors, not many people have access to the Internet from their homes. However, usage of Internet is not a problem for most of the students because of the decreasing cost of the Internet facility and increasing number of cyber cafes available in most places. The use of Internet at working places is also in large number as can be verified by the number of the people with whom I was in contact during the course of this research project. However, most of the students in Nepalese context are not engaged in job during their years of study and the use of Internet by most of the respondents is either at their home or at the cyber cafés.
College students tend to use the computer that is most convenient, one that is available when they want to go online, rather than wait to go home to go online. Significant number of college students use publicly accessible computers on campus for social purposes even when they have their own computer at home. Small size of college students reported using their home computer when checking mails.
In terms of gender, there is not much difference in accessing the Internet at different places. For instance, some 23.33% of male respondents access the Internet from their homes compared to female 16.66%. Likewise, some 25% of male respondents frequently access the Internet from cyber cafes so does 25% of female respondents. Hence the figure showed that the use of Internet by the students of age group 18 to 25 is not much different in terms of place of access between the male and female respondents. So, it can be said that the new generation male and female are more or less equally exposed to the outside world and are not divided because of sex difference in mobility to the different places for accessing the Internet.
4.7 Internet as a Tool for Acquiring Additional Information
When students were asked, whether Internet has helped them in gaining additional information or not and if "yes" in what respect has it helped and if "not" why? They had the following responses as given in Table 4.6.
Table 4.6: Internet for Acquiring Additional Information (N=60)
Has Internet helped in acquiring additional information?
Yes (%)
No (%)
54
6
Reasons (If Yes)
Number of Students
No need to buy books for small information
34
No need to wait for libraries to open
12
Download information whenever, wherever and in whatever time
35
Reasons (If No)
Number of Students
I have no access to the Internet
3
Internet search Information not known to me
2
I use Internet only with my friends at cyber cafe for chat
6
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004.
There are various sources for getting information and acquiring them For example; television, radio, books, and newspapers and these days also the Internet. The respondents have varied opinions and experience about the Internet in acquiring information. Some view that there is no need to buy books for small information and no need to wait for libraries to get information. The respondents had marked more than one options and even scribbled reasons other than those listed for example, some said that they sometimes use the Internet to read what their star predict as the horoscope they get to read on news papers these days crisscross the prediction. These days even in some of the libraries the Internet service has been provided to make the library users/information seekers easier to get the additional information at a place.
Some of respondents have not used the Internet for acquiring additional information because they have no easier access to the Internet, and also due to the lack of knowledge on how to search information in the Internet. And few of them because they use Internet for fun, chatting with the friends, and also for visiting the porno sites.
The inference drawn from the research conducted by Jones (2000) showed the similar result as this research. The students reported that the convenience of the Internet decreased the reference queries at university libraries. They reported that Internet has become their primary site of information search and they use Internet more than library.
4.8 Student's Opinion about the Internet
Opinions of respondents about Internet are given in Table 4.7.
Table 4.7: Opinions about Internet
Statements
Male
Female
Total
Easy to get Information
9
11
21
Download information whenever, wherever and in whatever time
12
10
22
No need to buy books for small information
3
1
4
Saving of time and money
6
2
8
Does not help much in study
1
0
1
Internet Reduces time with family
2
3
5
Total
33
27
60
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004.
Twenty one percent of the respondents feel it is easier to get information through the Internet and other 22.00% told that the information could be accessed at any time and place making easier to get information at the mean time saving time and money. 4.00% of the respondents ask no need to buy books for small information through Internet other 8.00%b further add that the time is saved and can be utilize for other purpose. Some of the respondents during the conversation at the time of survey think negative about the Internet. Only 1.00% of the respondents said that the Internet did not help them much in their study and the other 5.00% told that the use of Internet reduces time with family.
Though students believe that the use of Internet is beneficial in many aspects the use of Internet as an information and reference source is very minimal amongst the students of Kathmandu. If the degree to which they use the Internet for gathering information and reference source may increase if they come to trust Internet as an information cornerstone for them. Use of Internet as an educational tool could also supplement traditional classroom education.
4.9 Educational Culture and Internet
The respondents' perceptions of change in educational culture due to the Internet have been presented in Table 4.8.
The respondents were given choices to give reasons for the changes in educational culture due to the Internet. Most of them had marked more than one reason. Some of them opined that Internet helped them in sharing knowledge with their far off friend thus helping them in gaining additional knowledge.
Table 4.8: Respondents Perception of Change in Educational Culture (N=60)
Statement
Percentage (%)
Educational culture has been changed due to Internet
27
Reasons
Exposure to outside world
27
Additional knowledge
25
Others
21
Total
100
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004.
Likewise some viewed that customs, culture of foreign land unknown to them, Internet has helped them to get acquainted with it. They even believed that Internet has helped them consult reference books rather than sticking to the prescribed books. It has in a way helped them to broaden up their horizon.
Nearly 27.00% agree that Internet has had positive impacts on their college academic experience and changed their educational culture. Another 27.00% perceives that Internet is tools exposure to outside world. Some 25.00% said the internet has change in educational cultural to get additional knowledge and remaining 21.00% respondents perception of change in educational culture is for other various reasons.
4.10 The Digital Divide
Digital divide can be said as a divide between 'haves' and 'haves-not', 'knower and know-nots', 'doers and do- nots'. The digital revolution is creating a divide. The revolution not only promises for the betterment of lives of people but also threatens us of future divide.
Internet use now has become so pervasive that not having access to it or not knowing how to operate it is like not knowing how to read and write. The digital divide is looked upon from male- female divide, and ethnicities divide.
4.10.1 Male and Female Usage of Internet
Another aspect of concern is usage of Internet between male and female. It is believed that both male and female are using the Internet though their access may be from different places or their duration of use may differ (Table 4.9).
Table 4.9: Male and female usage of Internet
Sex
Usage of Internet
Total
Use Internet
Do not use Internet
Male
Count
30
0
30
%Within usage of Internet
50
0
50
Female
Count
30
0
30
% Within usage of Internet
50
0
50
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2003.
4.10.2 Digital Divide by Ethnicity
This research was conducted on 60 students from three colleges of Kathmandu Valley. The sample size was 20 students from each college. So, when the questionnaire was given to the students following their roll number starting from 1 to 20, the occurrence of Brahmins were more as compared to other ethnic groups.
Table 4.10: Internet usage by different ethnic groups
Ethnicity
Usage of Internet
Total
Within usage of internet
Use Internet
Do not use Internet
Brahmin
Count
28.00
0
28.00
%
46.66
0
Chhetri
Count
10.00
0
10.00
%
16.66
Newar
Count
20.00
0
20.00
%
33.33
0
Rai
Count
2.00
0
2.00
%
3.33
0
Total
100
0
60.00
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004.
Thus, this result cannot be taken as reference to draw inferences on the digital divide by ethnicity.According to the result 46.66% of Brahmins and 16.66% of Chhetri, 33.33%of Newars and 3.33% of Rai used the Internet (Table: 4.10).
4.11 Influence of Internet on Society
According to the report College students have been using Internet either from the comfort of their homes, or from cyber cafes. Some mostly use it to communicate while other use it for information as well. Respondents were asked as to when they started using the Internet? The responses showed that some of them have been using since last five year. Though this section has not been presented in a tabular form exact year of use as reported by the respondents have been presented.
16.66% of the students said they started using the Internet 5 years back, and 33.33% of the students started using the Internet 3 years back. Similarly, 50% of the students started using 2 years back.
In this context, Jones (2000) obtained a similar result. Hence, we can assume that the students have been on the greater influence of the Internet in today's society. For some it has negative influence and to some it has positive. 45% of the students report of having a positive influence (Table 4.11).
Table: 4.11 Influence of Internet on society
Influence of Internet on society N=60
Percentage (%)
Positive
45.00
Negative
28.33
Neither positive nor negative
15.00
Negative as well as positive
11.66
Total
100.00
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004.
They feel that Internet has helped them in exposure to the outside world and has provided access to the to wider communication system. They even agree that Internet had helped them to quince their thirst for knowledge.
28.33% of the students do not want to agree that Internet has positive influence (Table: 4.11). They believe that Internet has rather increased their financial burden and surfing net is an unproductive use of time.
It is uncertain whether the use of Internet might have affirmative impact upon the students or it lead them to crumple into negative consequences because of the improper use of Internet. If the performance of the students in the academic career and the professional career were reflected due to the maximization of the use of Internet then we can say whether the Internet has positive or negative impact. But there is no such evidence to conclude on this aspect of the Impact of Internet.
4.12 Age group Internet is affecting
The respondent's opinion about the age group of the people affected by the Internet connection was administered.
Table: 4.12 Respondents categorization on the age group affected by the Internet
Age group
16-19
20-25
26 and above
No idea
Total%
Percentage
35.00
31.33
5.00
28.33
100
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004.
They gave information about the age group without providing any logics. But only provided with the experience they have due to the surrounding circumstances. However, the figure of 35% of them believed that the age group affected is 16- 19 (Table: 4.12). Also the inference drawn by the studies done in Malaysia on the use of Internet showed that the age groups affected are the teenagers.
4.13 Obstacle in the development of Internet in the Society
The respondent's opinion on the obstacle in the development on Internet in society is shown on Table: 4.13
Table: 4.13 Obstacle in the development of Internet in society.
Obstacle in the development of Internet in society N=60
Percentage
Lack of awareness
21.66
High cost for the equipment
21.66
Little use in day to day life
20.00
Know how of the computer use
13.33
High cost for logging to the net or for the subscription
23.33
Total
100
Source: Field Survey, April-May 2004
During the field survey the respondents are interviewed about the obstacle in the development of Internet in the society. Out of them 21.66% agreed for the lack of awareness. Another 21.00% gives their opinion about the high cost of the equipment. Some 20.00% respondent said that the only few use Internet in day-to-day life. 13.33% regards obstacle in development of Internet because of knows how of the computer use. Other 23.33% feels that the main obstacle is the high cost of subscription..
Attempts have been made to make Internet as a tool for development in many nations. But there are certain barriers that obstruct the development process. The inferences drawn from the research in Bangladesh showed Internet use is underutilized. The reasons include high service charges, lack of awareness, poor telecommunication systems, government policy, low buying power of potential clients, and lack of institutional support. The Bangladesh Internet is hobbled by poor telecommunication lack of computing and networking equipment, few human resources and an indifferent bureaucratic government.
According to this report, -lack of awareness and little use of Internet in Day to day life is the basic obstacle in the Internet development (Table 4.13). Universal access to general mass and Internet access through Universities and Colleges to students could help in overcoming the obstacle in the development of Internet in the country.
Chapter V
Summary, Conclusions and Suggestions
As this chapter is the end part of this research, the researcher has mentioned three important aspects. They are:
· Summary
· Conclusions
· Suggestions
5.1 Summary
Globalization offers opportunities for worldwide development. Technically, globalization means countries have been integrated into a globe. So, globalization can be considered as a historic process. It can also be said to be the result of human innovation and technical process. This refers to the movement of the people and the knowledge.
Change is connected to the past and is related to the future. One of the reasons for change is the dynamic nature of people. The factor responsible for social change is breaking of new ideas, and technological inventions. It can be said that every major problem of modern society is either initiated by or at least strongly affected by technological change. Now the Internet has changed life style of modern society. Due to technological advancement means of communication and information have very quickly and rapidly changed the society. Internet allows people of different cultural origin to communicate with one another and provides access to accurate and up to date information. It enables long distance consultation and provides updates on current research.
The innovation of Internet has helped in the process of cultural and socio-economic change - where developing societies acquire some of the characteristics of the developed societies. Now, distance is by and large insignificant, particularly by the arrival of electronic communication-Internet, between any points of the globe.
The main objective of this research is to illustrate that how the Internet has change the social life of people in modern world. To understand and describe the role of Internet to access information and knowledge, the role of Internet in giving quality education to the college students of Nepal, To measure the level of information access by the college students through use of Internet and to describe the social, cultural and educational changes brought by the use of Internet.
The researcher has chosen the topic “ Internet as a tool for social change” to illustrate the change that Internet has bring to social life of the people. In many developed countries Internet is playing a key role in changing people's lives. Internet has become more and more essential for knowledge, information as well as entertainment. This research has also studied many topics like Internet and social change, Internet use and student, Internet use and Income, Internet use Vs Socialization and Internet use and Globalization.
Although the researcher might try to achieve the best, but he/she will have to work keeping practical difficulties and situations into solution. Thus the researcher has used different methodology and tools use for research. Research has use primary as well as secondary data, Primary data were collect on the spot whereas the secondary data are collected from various reports, different magazines, books, journals and other related topics. Moreover different questionnaires were prepared and interviews were taken to collect necessary data. These data are analyzed through different methodology and tools.
5.2 Conclusion
Internet has made the information resource available to the global audience. Internet generation is evolving else where and in Nepal. This generation is dependent on television, radio, books etc. vis-à-vis computer and Internet. Internet has now played a vital role in changing the social and educational culture of students in Nepal.
The researchers had received information from 60 students studying at Patan Multiple College, Kathmnadu University, and Kathmandu College of Management. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted for data analysis. The major findings of the study are as follows:
High percentages of respondents do not spend a long time on Internet. This indicated that Internet is not an important source for information, entertainment and education for college students.
5.2.1 The Internet user among the Nepalese Students does not have a long history. Though they started using the Internet few years back, some view its access to simplified and additional information. About 16.66% of the students started using it 5 years back, 33.33% started using it 3 years back and 50% started using it 2 years back.
5.2.2 Most college students chose entertainment as their main purpose of using Internet. It is clear that they see Internet as a source of entertainment, rather than for Information or for seeking knowledge.
5.2.3 Although most of the students regard Internet as source of entertainment, remarkable percentage of the respondents uses Internet as a source of information and knowledge.
5.2.4 Respondents’ level of knowledge about computer and Internet is quite high as the data indicates that the youngsters are quick to learn the new medium.
5.2.5 Survey on college students found that 25% of the male students and 21.66% of the female students used the Internet for e-mailing and some 13.33% and 10% of male and female respectively used it for visiting educational sites.
5.2.6 33% of the students opine that Internet has made it easier to get information through the Internet and 36.6% reported that information could be accessed at any time and place, making it easier to get information at the mean time saving time and money.
5.2.7 Students are well aware of the influence of Internet on the society Majority of students consider it as a tool for social change. Internet had been seen as one of the media where discrimination is not prevalent. Access to the Internet is available to all gender.
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5.3 Suggestion
On the basis of findings derived from the study, some important suggestions have been forwarded.
· The innovation of Internet has helped in the process of cultural and socio-economic change - where developing societies acquire some of the characteristics of the developed societies. In Nepal radio, television, telephone and newspapers are the major means of information and communication but these are just localized and traditional. Today bilateral use of Internet for communication has been bestowed as a boon in certain urban centers but the rural areas of Nepal are much behind in the use of Internet. In the countries like Nepal Internet is just a part of urban society, which is limited under certain areas. We also do not have proper legal about Internet and its usages.
· In my suggestion we should be able to make Internet available in rural and remote areas, so that the people could easily access the information and knowledge. Use of Internet could be a key role in development of educational and other important sectors of society. The main constraint we face in the use of Internet is the high price. Thus the government and other concerned body should be aware of making Internet cheap and available in every part of Nepal.
· In Nepal use of Internet is limited up to youngsters, most among them use Internet for entertainment rather than for source of information and knowledge. So in my opinion the Internet should be made useable for overall development of society. Internet is mostly needed in educational sector so that our scholars could compete in international arena.
· Lack of proper rules and regulations is other main constraint in development of Internet and its uses. Thus Cyber law (Act) should be made and imposed by the government to develop the Internet and its usages.
· Lastly, if we could follow and apply the above-mentioned suggestions, Internet could play the key role in changing and developing our society in near future.
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