INVESTIGATION OF GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE INTERNET KNOWLEDGE AS AN ACADEMIC RESOURCE TOOL IN UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in the internet knowledge as an academic resource tool in universities in Kenya. Methodology : Quantitative research approach was undertaken. An ex post facto research survey design was adopted. The researcher used a representative sample of 435 (Moi University) and 175 (Daystar University)adding up to 610 Third year student teachers of the academic year 2015/2016 drawn from School of Education in the two universities. Stratified sampling was used to categorize students by gender from each stratum; participants were chosen randomly. Questionnaires were used as instruments of data collection. Content validity was established by use of expert judgment in the school of education. Test re-test method was used to establish the reliability of instruments of data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. In descriptive statistics data frequencies, percentages and mean was used. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Chi square and Post hoc tests were used to test the hypotheses. Results : The study findings indicated that gender is not significantly related to internet knowledge, internal self efficacy and perceived ease of use but significantly related to perceived usefulness. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The results of the study are useful in designing educational programmes in Kenyan institutions of higher learning and also, offer an opportunity to connect the knowledge gap in digital divide research which is useful for future studies of technology acceptance.