Vol. 9(5), pp. 256-268. May, 2021. 

ISSN: 2360-7858

DOI: 10.14662/IJALIS2021.185

 

Full Length Research

 

Abstract

Reading culture is regarded as the highest character of individual’s pursuit of enlightenment. It is a regular activity that has to do with the cultivation of an attitude and the possession of skills that make reading pleasurable. Reading culture is having the habit of reading in every life and not just for school purposes. Despite the importance of cultivating the culture of reading, it has been observed that many students have performed below expectation due to poor reading culture. Scholars affirm that social media use have the capacity of enhancing the reading culture of students. This study therefore, examined the influence of social media use and reading culture of undergraduate students of Adventist University of central Africa, Rwanda. The study adopted a survey research design. The population of study comprised of 2,015 undergraduates across all the faculties in Adventist University of Central Africa. A sample size of 334 was derived with the use of Taro Yamane formula. The study adopted simple random sampling technique in gathering the data for the study. The data collection tool was structured and validated questionnaire. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for the constructs ranged from 0.718 to 0.86. The response rate was 96% and data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that there was a statistically positive significant influence of social media use on reading culture of Undergraduate Students of Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) in Rwanda. (β = 0.343, t (317) = 10.911, p < 0.05). Based on the descriptive analysis, the study revealed that there was a high level of reading culture among the undergraduates (x̅ = 3.09). The undergraduates read for examination purposes (x̅ = 2.76), improvement in vocabulary (x̅ = 3.18), and to improve academic performance (x̅ = 3.20). The undergraduates read different types of materials (x̅ = 3.12). Class Notes (x̅ = 3.26), Textbook (x̅ = 3.18). There was a high reading frequency amongst undergraduates at AUCA (x̅ = 2.63). The extent to which social media is used by the Undergraduates of Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) in Rwanda is high (x̅ = 3.32). YouTube is the highest used social media tool. (x̅=3.25). The undergraduates use social media for different purpose (x̅=3.23) such as to collaborate on academic (x̅ = 3.29). The study concludes that social media is an important element that can drive the reading culture of undergraduates of Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) in Rwanda. Therefore, based on the finding of this study, Undergraduates should endeavour to use more of their time in reading their books and are encouraged to direct their social media use more for educational purposes.

 

Keywords: Social Media, Reading Culture, AUCA, Rwanda.

 

	Cite This Article As: Ntakirutimana, S., Okoro, O.J. (2021). Social Media Use and Reading Culture of Undergraduate Students of Adventist University of Central Africa, Rwanda. Inter. J. Acad. Lib. Info. Sci. 9(5): 256-268