Evaluating the impact of eBook on reading motivation of students of higher learning in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

Reading among students is a vital aspect of their learning process and should be encouraged, any effort or innovation that improves the reading motivation of students is worth sustaining. This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of ebooks on reading motivation of students in Nigerian Higher institution based on observations that the rate of reading has been dwindling and majority of youths prefer to while away time on frivolities rather than reading to widen their intelligence. The study adopted descriptive survey research method the population consist of students from University of Nigeria and University of Jos. The findings of the study showed that majority of the students studied were aware of ebooks, and they normally access them through Google books. The materials often used were textbooks and reference materials; the use them mainly for study and research. The students were motivated to use ebooks because they could read them at the comfort of their homes, it saved a lot of time for them and these books were so easy to search and had created a lot of impact as many of them agreed that it had improved their reading habits, increase the volumes of books they read and helps them to understand the text. The study therefore concluded that to encourage good reading habits among students, the universities should provide broadband Internet access and enough facilities to accommodate all the students. Librarians should intensify in their effort to create more awareness among the students.