A Study on the Impact of Information and Communication Technology on the Reading Habits of Students in Government Degree Colleges of Visakhapatnam District

Abstract

The Rapid growth of Information and Communication Technology has significantly transformed the educational environment in higher education by changing the ways the student access, utilise and share information. Traditional reading practices based mainly on printed books and Library resources but now they are complimented by Digital reading through smartphones, computer online data bases, internet based learning platforms. The present study examines the influence of ICT and the reading habits of students enrolled in different disciplines in Government Degree colleges in Visakhapatnam district. A descriptive survey Research Design was adopted involving 300 students,  selected through simple random sampling method. Data collected through structured questionnaire focusing on ICT accessibility digital reading preferences frequency of digital resource usage preferred reading materials (formats) usage patterns and challenges experienced by students using Technology based reading resources. The findings indicate that ICT has positively influenced students reading habits by improving access to academic materials increasing the availability of diverse information sources in this modern reading culture among the students and also encouraging independent learning, Smartphones and internet facilities emerged as the most commonly used ICT tools among these students educational institutions should strengthen digital infrastructure, improve literary programmes and promoting balanced technology use among the students to enhance their reading habits.