Potentials of Smart Phones in Educational Development of Nigerian Secondary School Students: A Review

Elizabeth Morenikeji Titilayo Adediran

doi:10.7176/jep/12-27-07

Abstract

The use of smartphone is gradually becoming a compelling learning tool used to enhance teaching and learning in distance education. Its usage ensures flexible course delivery, makes it possible for learners to access online learning platforms, access course resources and interact digitally. Students’ use of smart phones and other convergent technological devices for study and social purposes has grown significantly in the past five years. This trend is part of a more general ICT revolution impacting on the way students interact both with each other and with their studies. Though, controversy exists on use of smart phones in schools, yet the device is full of potentials that could be tapped for educational purposes. This paper provides a review which critically examines the inherent potentials associated with mobile smart phone technology and how these potentials could be tapped for educational development of the Nigerian secondary school students. The paper also x-rays the need for proper guidelines be set for effective application of this technology within the Nigerian school system DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-27-07 Publication date: September 30 th 2021

Highlights

The emergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and internet facilities have drastically affected almost every facet of human life
With a multitude of real-time streaming opportunities available through the phone, the trend is for students to use phones to multi-task, to plan and coordinate social and study-related activities, to facilitate group solidarity, and to gather information from a variety of sources
The affordances of a smart phone, or the properties of the technology that ‘determine the possibilities for action’ encourage their use for multitasking (Wood et al, 2012). Another trend that smart phones can impact on study is for students to use their phones to arrange group activities

Summary

Introduction

The emergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and internet facilities have drastically affected almost every facet of human life. Students’ use of smart phones and other convergent technological devices for study and social purposes has grown significantly in the past five years. With a multitude of real-time streaming opportunities available through the phone, the trend is for students to use phones to multi-task, to plan and coordinate social and study-related activities, to facilitate group solidarity, and to gather information from a variety of sources.

Results

Conclusion