Abstract

Utilization of electronic resources is a reading culture that benefits bachelor of education teacher trainees (BEDTTs) by directly exposing the learners to up-to-date and vast subject content in motivating multimedia presentations. The BEDTTs benefits from utilizing e-resources by retrieving information faster than print resources. The BEDTTs use the time saved to do more academic work. The study examined the relationship between information searching ability and utilization of e-resources by BEDTTs. The objective of the study sought to establish the relationship between BEDTTs’ searching ability and utilization of e-resources. The study adopted descriptive research design. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides and document analysis guides. Stratified random sampling was used to draw a sample of 370 learners. Purposeful sampling method was used to obtain 30 staff who interact with BEDTTs either in class, library or administratively. Validity was ascertained using experts from the department of educational communication. The instrument demonstrated high internal consistency (>.90) using test-retest method. Validity was ascertained using Cronbachs’ alpha coefficient. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides and document analysis guide. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The findings revealed a significant relationship between BEDTTs’ information searching ability and utilization of e-resources. The findings recommended implementation of embedded information skills lessons from first year to fourth year, joint IL curriculum mapping between lecturers, library staff and information skills librarians, intense marketing of the availability of e-resources to the University community and teaching BEDTTs a wide range of searching techniques. The study recommended a replication of a longitudinal study on influence of information literacy instruction on utilization of e-resources.