Study Spaces and Environments: Recognizing the Needs of Students in Africa

Autor/inn/en	Ali, Shameem; King, Arthur
Titel	Study Spaces and Environments: Recognizing the Needs of Students in Africa
Quelle	In: Journal of Education and Practice, 6 (2015) 23, S.99-107 (10 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2222-1735
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Developing Nations; Student Needs; Postsecondary Education; College Students; Student Attitudes; College Libraries; Library Services; Barriers; Low Income Students; Information Technology; User Satisfaction (Information); Study Habits; Educational Environment; Family Environment; Questionnaires; Africa; Namibia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Developing country; Developing countries; Entwicklungsland; Post-secondary education; Tertiäre Bildung; Collegestudent; Schülerverhalten; College; Library; Libraries; Hochschule; Fachhochschule; Bibliothek; Universitätsbibliothek; Bibliotheksarbeit; Informationstechnologie; Benutzerfreundlichkeit; Study behavior; Study behaviour; Studienverhalten; Lernumgebung; Pädagogische Umwelt; Schulumwelt; Familienmilieu; Fragebogen; Afrika
Abstract	This study looks at the satisfaction of tertiary students with their institution's library services with the aim of identifying study and learning related impediments and challenges faced by students from poor backgrounds. A study of this type is important because educators need to understand that information technology adoption and implementation must first address learning needs and situations facing emerging communities. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the reasons for visiting the library, frequency of visits, reasons that may have prevented visits, and to determine satisfaction and experience of users. This was purely quantitative study, based on a survey of students. Satisfaction levels were measured across 20 indicators adapted from similar studies and sought information on the rate of library usage, the main reason for the most recent library visit and reasons that had ever prevented them from visiting the library. Post survey, three focus group sessions were conducted to discuss issues relating to home study environments and the preliminary findings of the survey. Based on the item groupings, five service dimensions were identified. These were student services/facilities, staff, collection, study spaces, and availability (access). The study found that there was some disconnect between student needs and library services available. A large number of students (47%) indicated that they prefer to conduct their study in the library, despite indicating a high level of dissatisfaction with some aspects of the services, because home environments are not conducive to study and learning. The implementation of many of the virtual characteristics of university libraries should be based on a clear understanding of the local information needs, searching behaviours as well as being cognizant of how and why libraries are accessed. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	IISTE. No 1 Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong SAR. Tel: +852-39485948; e-mail: JEP@iiste.org; Web site: http://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JEP
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01