| The purpose of this study was to describe the patterns in Internet utilization among faculty and students at the Unite de Formation et de Recherche/Sciences Humaines (UFR/SH) at the University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. In order to better understand Internet utilization, this study examined the participants' perspective of the Internet, factors encouraging and discouraging its utilization at UFR/SH, how the participants used the Internet in learning, and management of technology issues at the University of Ouagadougou.; An extensive review of the literature was conducted and a detailed research plan was developed outlining the qualitative research methods that were utilized in the study. Interviews, observations, and written documents were utilized to triangulate data, strengthen the research findings, and assure trustworthiness. A standardized open-ended interview guide (SOIG) was developed and tested. Interviews were conducted with two faculty members, 10 students, and two technology coordinators. Informal conversational interviews rounded out the data. Observations of the participants occurred over a four-month period on campus at the University of Ouagadougou.; The data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding procedures. The constant comparative method and a strong audit trail showed how categories and themes emerged from the data. These categories and themes developed into two theories which were grounded in the data.; The data suggest that the level of Internet use in postsecondary institutions in emerging countries is primarily influenced by seven factors comprised of personal satisfaction, information accessibility, enhanced learning, cost effectiveness, technology infrastructure and equipment, financial challenges, and skill challenges.; The results showed that UFR/SH was a learning environment that was under internal and external pressures for change, and where the use of the Internet was increasingly becoming necessary. The Internet was viewed as a means for improving internal and external communications at the institution and for providing access to considerable resources for learning and research. Information and communications technologies were indispensable to meet challenges the university faced. For this reason, short-term plans were undergoing implementation in order to improve the current Internet status.; The data also suggest that the absence of ongoing training, professional development, and adequate administrative support for technology negatively impact Internet utilization in colleges and universities in emerging countries. The results showed that there were many obstacles to Internet utilization, and the support and training provided by the management of technology staff at the University of Ouagadougou was insufficient in providing faculty, staff, and students technical assistance and basic skills for Internet utilization. In order to overcome challenges and improve the use of information and communications technologies, strategies that could be useful to management of technology were comprised of providing strong leadership for change, developing a shared campus vision, building consensus through a campus-wide strategic plan, establishing an effective and integrated information technology organization, implementing faculty and staff development and student training, and building partnerships and fostering interinstitutional collaboration. |
