AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS OF STUDENTS MOBILE PHONE USAGE IN SCHOOLS ON  THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Students in secondary schools have not shown strong academic proficiency in their courses. The amount of effort that a student puts into his coursework often has a direct bearing on the results that he achieves. It's possible that this is related to the fact that the student has a mobile phone in addition to the other things that are distracting them.

Academic achievement is the result of education the extent to which a student, teacher, or institution has achieved their educational goals(Shreiner, 2021). Academic performance is the ability to study and remember facts and being able to communicate your knowledge verbally or on paper, or it is how students deal with their studies and how they copy with or accomplish different tasks given to them by their teachers. Academic achievement is the end result of education.

A mobile phone, often known as a mobile cellular telephone or simply a cell, is a piece of electronic equipment that allows for two-way radio communication through cellular networks of base stations known as cell sites. Mobile phones may be traced all the way back to the late 1940s when they were first invented (1940s). The concept of the mobile phone was developed from the innovation of a radio that was used in taxicabs, police-cabs, ambulances, and other vehicles. These vehicles used two-way radio to communicate with one another or with a main headquarters. This innovation led to the development of the mobile phone. In the 1960s, mobile phone technology was readily accessible; however, there was a 'catch' in the form of the need for the mobile user to remain inside a certain broadcast region(Shreiner, 2021).

We are now in the third generation of mobile phones, which allows us to do many things with our phones, such as sending and receiving text messages, browsing the internet, and making phone calls to any location in the globe. Mobile phones have fundamentally altered the manner in which we live our lives, and for many people, the idea of returning to a world in which they do not have access to voice calling, text messaging, and mobile internet is unsettling. According to Shreiner (2021), students now face both new possibilities and new obstacles brought about by the proliferation of mobile phones. A significant number of kids bring their mobile phones with them to school each day, in addition to their textbooks and other necessities. The existence of mobile phones in today's society presents students with a wide variety of opportunities and obstacles.

Depending on the mindset and habits of the student who owns the mobile phone, it may either be a useful academic tool or a disruptive academic hindrance for the student's education.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

It has been noted that there has been a significant drop in the academic performance of pupils in the senior secondary school external exams in the recent past. These tests were administered in recent years. The tendency has an effect not only on the instructors, but also on the parents of the students, who are the ones who are responsible for the kids' financial obligations. The use of mobile phones has been singled out as a potential contributor to the team's underwhelming performance. The use of mobile phones may have a variety of unfavorable and even harmful consequences and affects on the academic performance of pupils. According to Ansari (2021), some of these drawbacks include the loss of both time and money, as well as the possibility that its vibration and usage might be hazardous to one's health.

Because of mobile phones, dishonesty has reached new heights. Students have the option of searching for answers online, taking photographs of their examinations, or texting the answers to themselves. Even though there are restrictions in place regarding mobile phones, pupils continue to use them during school hours. Some educators have a zero tolerance policy for students who are discovered using their phones during a test. According to Watson (2020), a significant number of people have the assumption that students are dishonest if they are in possession of a mobile phone during an exam. As a result of this, those with a vested interest in education are concerned about the threat that low academic performance among students presents. In point of fact, they are worried about the potential consequences for the future of our magnificent country. This study will, therefore; investigate the effects of students mobile phone usage in schools on  their academic achievement

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The general objective of the study is to investigate the effects of students mobile phone usage in schools on  their academic achievement. Specifically, the study will be guided under the following;   

i.          To find out the reason why students use mobile phone in schools.

ii.        To identify the effect of students mobile phone usage on their academic achievements.

iii.      To investigate extent to which mobile phone usage in schools affects students academic output .

iv.      To recommend ways of reducing the usage of mobile phone from students.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study is meant to answer the following research questions:

i.          What are the reason why students use mobile phone in schools?

ii.        What is  the effect of students mobile phone usage on their academic achievements?

iii.      What is the extent to which mobile phone usage in schools affects students academic output ?

iv.      What are the recommended ways of reducing the usage of mobile phone from students?

1.5   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Improved academic performance has a tremendous value on educational system of any nation. This research would therefore be of great assistance to educational administrators, students and parents as well. The findings of this study would be of value in the sense that it would Foster restricting of mobile phones due to its effects on their academic performance.

The study will be significant as it will enable parents to be informed on the consequences of mobile phones during school hour, enable students to understand how mobile technology can be used for learning, clear the doubts of the government about the ban of mobile phones use among secondary school students.

The study will be of benefit to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1.6       SCOPE PF THE STUDY

The study will  find out the reason why students use mobile phone in schools. The study will also identify the effect of students mobile phone usage on their academic achievements. The study will further investigate extent to which mobile phone usage in schools affects students academic output . lastly, the study will recommend ways of reducing the usage of mobile phone from students. Hence this study will be delimited to Bayelsa State.

1.7 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Academic achievement: performance outcomes that indicate the extent to which a person has accomplished specific goals that were the focus of activities in instructional environments, specifically in school, college, and university

Mobile phone: This is a telephone that does not have wires and works by radio that people carry about and use everywhere.

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