Use of web 2.0 technologies by library and information science students

The research reported on in this article investigated the use of Web 2.0 technologies by library and information science (LIS) students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), South Africa. Blumer and Katz’s Uses and Gratification Theory, which explains the reasons behind people’s use of Web 2.0 technologies, was used to provide meaning to the research findings. A case study approach was used to collect data by means of a questionnaire, content analysis and interviews. The findings revealed that between 72 and 97 per cent of LIS students have accounts on the following Web 2.0 technologies: YouTube, Skype, Google Apps, WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook. In a nutshell, the research threw light on the Web 2.0 technologies used the most by LIS students and also highlighted their reasons for using them. The benefits or gratifications derived from using Web 2.0 technologies were also a highlight of the research. More importantly, the research demonstrated the need to embed Web 2.0 technologies in the LIS curriculum and to encourage academics to continuously embrace emerging technologies.DHE