The Usage of internet by the academic staff of the faculty of arts, Aden University and Sana`a University, Yemen : a comparative study

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the usage of the Internet of the academic staff in the Faculty of Arts, Aden University and Sana’a University in Yemen. It also attempted to find out the differences between the academic staff from both universities with regard to their usage of the Internet, as well as to know if there is a relationship between computer literacy and the use of Internet. The study investigated the problems faced by the academic staff in relation to using the Internet and also identify the similarities and differences in terms of problems faced by them. A questionnaire was used to obtain the relevant data. The total number of respondents was 143. The results showed that in general there were no differences in using the Internet by the academic staff in both universities. With regard to the relationship between computer literacy and use of Internet, the results showed that there was a significant relationship between the level of computer literacy and the usage of Internet for both universities. The duration of Internet use increased with those academicians who considered their level of computer literacy as ‘advanced. While those who considered their level of Internet literacy as ‘good’ had used the Internet for 2-3 times a week. With regard to the problems faced by the academic staff of both universities, the results showed that they encountered the same problems with the exception of one department. The findings also revealed that the majority of the academic staff from both universities preferred printed materials. About half of the respondents received informal training in using the Internet, mainly through self-instruction. They used the Internet mostly at home and in the Internet cafés.