Abstract
Smartphones are becoming ubiquitous and can be very useful study tools. We explored female Emirati undergraduates’ perceptions of smartphone use in the classroom. Furthermore, we investigated the age at which participants received their first smartphones, the number of smartphones to which they had access at the time of the study, and the influence of these aspects on the use of smartphones as a learning tool. An online survey of 189 participants revealed that the age of receiving their first smartphone, combined with the number of smartphones they owned or had access to at the time of the study, did not correlate with their perceptions of the usefulness of smartphones as a learning tool in a statistically significant manner. However, participants in their first year of study had fewer positive perceptions about the use of smartphones in the classroom than participants in subsequent study years. We surmise that this might be attributable, in part, to the further experiences older students have had or classes they have taken or to student teaching experiences in which they might have firsthand observed the benefits of phone use in the classroom as a learning tool.
Highlights
Digital natives have spent their entire lives surrounded by digital technology, and in today’s increasingly tech-centered world, a growing number of people, especially younger people, can be identified as part of this cohort
While popular opinion may deride this generation as constantly seeking stimuli, unable to concentrate, or even addicted to screens, there are undeniable benefits to such digital access, many of which belong to the learning domain. These learners can take advantage of the digitally afforded freedom of smartphones to engage in online activities, academic communities, and websites that can result in independent learning or supplement classroom education [3]
The premise of this study is to evaluate participants’ perceptions of smartphone use for learning
Summary
Digital natives have spent their entire lives surrounded by digital technology, and in today’s increasingly tech-centered world, a growing number of people, especially younger people, can be identified as part of this cohort. While popular opinion may deride this generation as constantly seeking stimuli, unable to concentrate, or even addicted to screens, there are undeniable benefits to such digital access, many of which belong to the learning domain These learners can take advantage of the digitally afforded freedom of smartphones to engage in online activities, academic communities, and websites that can result in independent learning or supplement classroom education [3]. These activities are no longer solely defined by curriculum; an entire world of data and information is available to today’s population, and both teachers and students can take advantage of it to transform learning processes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
