EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN PROMOTING READING CULTURE AMONG STUDENTS IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, IWO, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between the use of emerging technologies and the reading culture among students at the Federal College of Education, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two research questions and one hypothesis, focusing on the current state of students' reading culture, and the types of emerging technologies available and used. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire was administered to 300 randomly selected students from different departments. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that students possessed a moderately positive reading culture, with digital tools like eBooks, digital libraries, ChatGPT, and Wattpad being the most used. The study concludes that while emerging technologies enhance students’ reading engagement, infrastructural and institutional support is critical to optimize their impact. It recommends increased investment in digital infrastructure, awareness campaigns, and targeted capacity-building initiatives to foster a stronger reading culture through technology.