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ABSTRACT Through the advancement of mobile technology and their increasing affordability, mobile devices have transformed from a means of communication to tools for socialization, entertainment, work, and learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate Olabisi Onabanjo University undergraduate students access to mobile devices and their use of these devices. The access to and usage of mobile devices have been largely responsible for the tremendous changes in educational and social life of students in recent years. Therefore, related literature which dealt with the access to and use of mobile device(s) by students with regard to gender usage of device(s), was also reviewed as part of this study. The study employed a descriptive survey. A Student Access and Use of Mobile Devices (SAUMD)questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection; Using stratified random sampling techniques, two hundred and fifty questionnaires were distributed to students from the five faculties in Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye. The data collected were thus analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that a relatively high percentage of students have access to mobile devices (96%) as against those that don’t (4%) meaning majority of O.O.U students have mobile devices. It was also discovered that usages of mobile were higher for female students than males. 50% of O.O.U students spent about 2-4 hours on their mobile devices and they majorly use these devices for connecting with family, friends and others around the world. It was concluded that if mobile devices are used appropriately, it will also be beneficial to them academically. For instance, students can form online communities in order to plan for a project, have group discussions about class material, or use the Social networking sites as a way to keep in contact when a student who has been absent needs to be updated on current academic information. The study therefore recommends that students should be educated on the beneficial use of mobile device(s), and it’s effects on both their academic and social lives. There should be a decrease in the time spent by students when surfing the net especially for social activities, more attention should be directed to research and academic work. CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study Mobile devices are small computing devices, typically small enough to be handheld (and hence also commonly known as a handheld computer). Many manufacturing company produces these types of devices and these devices also have operating system (OS), and can run various types of application software, known as apps. Most handheld devices (mobile devices) can also be equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS (for location) etc. enabling the devices with the capabilities that can allow connections to the internet. In this current technology savvy generation of undergraduate students, the use of mobile devices has become commonplace. Most undergraduate students would appreciate the numerous technological gadgets that they use in their everyday lives. Some of the most prominent technological innovations available at their disposal are smart phones, laptops, iPad, PCs, Tablets and so on. These technological innovations have greatly affected many aspects of our lives and as at today technology continues to grow day by day at an incredible and unbelievable speed. Statistically speaking, about 32.7% of the world’s population have access to this technological advancement (Howe, 2012). Itu (2007) opined that the explosive growth of mobile devices makes it practically futile for scholarly manuscripts to cite the numbers of mobile subscriptions worldwide and that it is safe to point out that subscriptions are well into billions and growing. In this regard, one can project that almost every student in the University owns at least a mobile phone. Owning a mobile phone has social, economic, psychological and educational consequences on the learners. As a matter of fact, mobile devices seem to be capable of solving the dilemma between the classroom and the computer laboratory by enabling students to participate in both physical and virtual learning activities (Liu, 2003). There have been many studies on the probable effects of mobile devices in school and on learning, and their roles and effects on the socialization aspect of students’ life (Chen and Katz, 2009; Yang, 2012; Hoadley, 2009). Several studies have also reported that mobile devices have positively contributed to student success (Marcos, Hilera, Barchino, Jiménez, Martínez., Gutiérrez, Otón 2010; Hwang, Wu and Ke, 2011). It is considered that also the use of mobile devices outside the classroom is helpful for learning (Sandberg, Maris, Geus,, 2011). Through mobile devices, students create their own learning network and carry out messaging and social activities with their friends and teachers (Field, 2005). The use of mobile phones for socialization via various social media like Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, 2go, Eskimi, WeChat, Badoo, BBM and so on cannot be over emphasized. Students use various kinds of internet enabled phones like iPhone, Blackberry, Nokia, Samsung and various kinds of android phones for the purpose of socializing on the internet and also to keep abreast of information around them. Adaja and Ayodele (2013) advocated that one of the breakthroughs in communication technology in the 21st century was the discovery and emergence of the new media which have facilitated the creation of the different platforms for social interaction. Accordingly, it is possible to assert that students that have different educational needs may benefit from mobile devices through various means. In addition, the fact that these opinions are the outputs of some observations may also be used as a reference to determine the extent with which students are actually affected by these devices. Mobile devices have become an almost essential part of daily life especially for students since their rapid growth in popularity in the late 1990s. As Ling (2003) states, the mobile devices is at cross purpose with the mission of the school. While in school students are supposed take on their prescribed roles as student with full concentration on their studies and free from contact with the outside world. However, the mobile devices gives room to blending students’ roles with other roles thus distracting and disrupting the students’ academic activities. In the past when fixed telephones were the norm in schools, there were minimum distractions and disruptions but presently with the invasion of mobile devices and the eagerness of parents to maintain contact with their wards, the device is becoming part of the classroom. Thus, the mobile device has the power to undermine the schools’ authority and weaken their control over students as well as affects their level of academic activities (Geser, 2004). The usefulness of mobile devices among undergraduate are numerous and this includes keeping contact with friends, members of the family, conducting research, engaging in online learning and others. Many students possess more than one mobile device for different purposes, which could be for business purpose or personal purpose. A number of students are also taking the advantage of multiple SIM cards for benefit of different calling plans since a calling plan might provide cheaper local calls, long-distance calls, international calls, or roaming. Later, other media content emerged which includes news, video games, jokes, horoscopes, TV content and advertising. In 2006, the total value of mobile-device-paid media content exceeded Internet-paid media content and was worth 31 billion dollars. The value of music on phones was worth 9.3 billion dollars in 2007 and gaming was worth over 5 billion dollars in 2007. Mobile banking and payment also one of the use of mobile devices which is also common among undergraduates students whereby their mobile device is use for mobile banking services, such as ability to transfer cash payments through safe SMS text message. This service also allows customers to hold cash balances recorded on the SIM cards, deposits or withdraws cash. Some students also use their mobile device banking for loan disbursement and repayment (Microfinance, 2010). A couple of these mobile devices that the students make use of can operate mobile payments through direct mobile billing schemes (Feig, 2007). This requires the co-operation of manufacturers, network operators and retail merchants to enable contactless payments (Poulter, 2011). 1.2 Statement of the Problem The purpose to which undergraduates students use their mobile device it of concern to the academic institution and social environment. Since the advent of social media sites in the 1990s, it is assumed in some quarters that the academic lives of students are facing a lot of neglect and challenges. There are questions on how students use their mobile devices as regards social networking activities and their academic activities. It was observed that students devote more attention to their phones but what they use it for is a question to be answered in the course of this study. Therefore, this study sets out to explore: The use of mobile devices by undergraduate students of Olabisi Onabanjo University in their academics and socializing activities. 1.3 Objectives of the Study The general objective of this study is to examine the access to and use of mobile devices by undergraduate students of Olabisi Onabanjo University in their academics and socializing activities. Specifically this research work intends to examine: 1. The percentage of undergraduates’ students that have mobile device. 2. The type of mobile device used by female and male students’ in different Faculties of O.O.U. 3. Examine the major use of these devices by students ‘academic activities and socializing activities. 4. The most addictive mobile activities and applications among the students. 1.4 Research Question 1. What percentage of undergraduate students’ have mobile device? 2. What is the type of mobile device(s) is used by female and male students in different Faculties of O.O.U. 3. What are the major use of these devices on the students ‘academic activities and socializing activities? 4. What are the most addictive mobile activities and applications among the students? 1.5 Significance of the Study This research will provide valuable information and feedback to the students as regards how to utilize mobile device in the academic and socializing activities. The results of this study may assist institution and policy makers to consider exploring the use of mobile device. It will also help students on balancing the use of mobile device in their academics and socialization areas. This study will also help researchers with more information on the use of mobile device, type of mobile devices used, types of application mostly used by the students and so on. It will also provide relevant material for students and other researchers undertaking similar research. 1.6 Scope of the Study The essence of this research work is to primarily study the access to and use of mobile devices use by undergraduate students in their academics and socializing activities. The research intends to focus on of Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun state. It will delimit into the five faculties of the institution namely; Law faculty, Social and Management Science Faculty, Faculty of Art, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Education. The research findings would be generalized to include all students of O.O.U. 1.7 Operational Definition Mobile device: It is a small portable handheld device for communication which you can carry with you everywhere. Undergraduate: A university student who has not yet received a first degree. Academic activities: It involves activities such as seminars, assignments, research and lectures that are important to students life. Socializing activities: these are activities that involve interactions with people and the rest of the world.
Keywords: UNDERGRADUATES’ ACCESS TO AND USE OF MOBILE DEVICE(S)
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UNDERGRADUATES’ ACCESS TO AND USE OF MOBILE DEVICE(S)
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