Abstract
<p class="0abstract">Technology advent has been transforming students’ perceptions and preferences mostly on how they acquire information and learn. The way students perceive e-books and print books significantly influences the format they prefer to use for academic purposes. Recently, the accessibility of e-books on assorted mobile gadgets is substituting the conventional print based resources which are regarded costly in production, sharing and also heavy. Differing views on the format (e-book or print) that students prefer for academic purposes to improve their educational experience exist of which most studies have been done in developed countries. Therefore, a research that reveals students’ perceptions and preferences towards the two book formats in the nation of South Africa can afford a better understanding and conclusion on an African student. This study aimed to determine students’ preference on using e-books and print books in meeting academic information needs based on perceptions. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and a questionnaire as a research instrument which was administered to students at the University of Fort Hare. Findings revealed that students preferred using both (e-books and print books) for their academic needs. Moreover, they perceived e-books to be as good as print books, easy and friendly to use and capable of providing sufficient information to meet educational needs.</p><p class="0keywords"> </p>
Highlights
Innovation on technology is rising each day with new technologies changing students’ way of life from how they communicate, play, and socialize up to how they learn
(Agree = 61.5%) of respondents shared the view that e-books are as good as print books (Chi-square = 71.590; df = 2; p =
As e-reader platforms are developing in the South African market, more research is needed on the changing student perceptions especially on the efficacy of utilising diverse digital media in e-books over the use of print books
Summary
Innovation on technology is rising each day with new technologies changing students’ way of life from how they communicate, play, and socialize up to how they learn. E-books are a reality that will surpass the education marketplace and in the long run completely alter the distribution and accessibility of information. Such a change is attributed to the major benefits that e-books have over their print counterparts which are accessibility and flexibility[2]. An evolving need exists for stakeholders to benefit from this technology increase, as it presents an opportunity to improve learning through the substantial information offered by the internet [1]
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