Impact of Internet Usage on Academic Performance in Tertiary Education Level: Bangladesh Perspectives

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of internet usage on academic performance in tertiary education level of Bangladesh and the main purpose of this study was to examine the impact of internet usage on academic performance in tertiary education and also other main objectives of this study were to evaluate reasons for Internet usage among students in tertiary education level also to state the importance of internet usage on academic performance in tertiary education level and fortunately all the objectives of this study have been achieved successfully and intensely. This study carried out through using a mixed-method approach (including quantitative and qualitative methods) and also, research can be conducted by quantitative and qualitative approaches. Nevertheless, most of the respondents agreed that the Internet is a powerful tool that facilitates their academic performance positively and also they have agreed extremely that the Internet has the following positive impacts; the accomplishment of assignments and course works, obtainability of library databases simplify communication between lecturers and students, facilitates communication among students, availability of contemporary knowledge, improves exam preparations and examination’s grades, comprehension and reading of the courses, accessibility of examination results and online courses and the availability of learning materials from the instructors. It is found that the internet has some negative impacts on student’s academic performance e.g. disturbances of reading time and learning time reduce the attention of courses study, causes stress that can decrease exam grades, loses time allocation for the study also internet decreases the efforts towards course works. This study recommended that tertiary education institutions should provide excellent internet facilities for their students where students utilize internet services positively to prevent and avoid any negative impacts that can harm their performance.