Examining students’ experience with the use of some selected ICT devices and applications for learning and their effect on academic performance

Abstract

Empirical evidence regarding the direct effect of students’ experience with the use of information and communications technology (ICT) devices and applications and their academic performance is sparse especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, the global literature on this subject provides mixed findings. This paper examines students’ experience with the use of some selected ICT devices and applications and their academic performance. The research question is: Can the use of ICT devices and applications for students’ learning impact on academic performance? A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 320 final year undergraduate students of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana. Cumulative Grade Point Average was used as a proxy for academic performance. The ordinary least square was employed to estimate the effect of ICT on academic performance. Overall, the study shows a positive and statistically significant relationship between expenditures on some selected ICT tools and applications for learning and academic performance. Also, the use of e-mails was found to exert a positive effect on academic performance, while iPad had a negative impact on academic performance. The paper suggests that ICT could be harnessed to improve students’ academic performance at the University level. It is recommended that the use of e-mail interface for academic-related activities be intensified among students in order to harness its full potential in improving academic performance.