Investigating the Use of Mobile Devices in Schools

Abstract

This chapter describes how today's technology has provided flexibility for teachers and students to engage in academic discourse irrespective of the location. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding the influence of mobile devices on students' academic engagement and performance. Following this debate, these authors empirically investigate the use of mobile device and its impact on teaching and learning in Ghana. Therefore, students, teachers and Ghana Education Service staff were selected to respond to a questionnaire with a follow up interview. After that, the authors analysed the content of the collected data using mixed research method. The results show that students are disallowed to use mobile devices while in school. However, the participants believe that mobile devices are useful for teaching and learning, especially for mobile learning. In line with the participants' perception of the use of mobile devices in schools, this chapter recommends that the government and other stakeholders of education in Ghana allow students to use mobile devices under restricted and regulated conditions.