The Purpose of Students Using Mobile Phones in University - Research Proposal Example

Mobile Phones in University Name Institution Course Date Mobile Phones in University Introduction Mobile phone is one of the technological gadgets that have revolutionized communication and interaction in the world. The use of mobile phones became popular in the late twentieth century. Currently, the number of mobile phone users in the world is about 5 billion. Almost every household has a mobile phone. As a result, mobile phone has become an everyday gadget that the people use for different purposes. The mobile phone is no longer used for communication only. With the advancement in technology, the mobile phone can be used for browsing, recording, watching movies, applications and other host of activities (Margaryan, Littlejohn & Vojt, 2011). Due to the increased number of features, it has been able to attract a high number of youth. At the university level in Australia, all the students have mobile phones used for different purposes. At the universities, the mobile phones are used for communication, interaction and carrying out academic tasks (Kuznekoff & Titsworth, 2013). Different applications are used by the university students to carry out their academic work. The number of people buying watches is on the decline as the mobile phone is also used to tell time. The use of mobile phones at the university has advantages as well as disadvantages. It has the potential of causing interruptions during the learning process and hence affecting the concentration of the students. Other university students spend too much time on their mobile phones engaging in non-academic activities such as playing games, interacting through social media and watching movies (Park, Nam & Cha, 2012). A research on the use of mobile phones by the students in university is therefore useful. The research is significant since it will highlight the reasons why students at the university use mobile phones. The paper is a research about finding out why students use mobile phones in university. Methodology All the participants in the research were university students. The selection of the participants was carried out randomly regardless of the gender. The random selection of participants is important in ensuring that information from different participants is obtained. Only the university students were involved in the research as they are directly involved in the use of mobile phones. The concept of qualitative research was used to gather and analyze the information. Qualitative analysis involves exploratory research. It is mainly used for gaining an understanding of a particular problem (Creswell, 2013). Trends can also be uncovered through the use of qualitative analysis. The qualitative analysis is effective when the sample size is small. Qualitative interviews are usually carried out for the purposes of obtaining information from the respondents. Interviews were used in the research for obtaining information from the university students. Since all the respondents are located within the university, face to face interviews was conducted. This method is quick and cost effective when dealing with a low number of respondents. High levels of ethics have to be observed during the process of carrying out the interviews. As a means of maintaining high levels of ethics, the respondents were not influenced to answer the interview questions is a particular manner. The analysis of the data was carried out in an accurate manner in accordance with the information gathered from the respondents. The respondents were asked interview questions and their response written alongside each question. This was aimed at avoiding any confusion with regards to the topic (Ragin, 2014). The exact words of the respondents were used in order to ensure accuracy during the process of analyzing the information. Coding was carried out during the analysis of the data. This was for the purposes of making it easier to make comparisons and obtain common ideas from the interviews. The common ideas that arose out of the data formed an important aspect of the coding process. It is through the common ideas that the research questions were to be answered. A high level of accuracy was maintained during the research in order to maintain ethics and credibility of the research. Findings, Analysis and discussions Findings The interviews indicate that the students use their mobile phones more often while at the university. The students use their mobile phones even during the lectures. The students use their mobile phones at the University for various purposes. This includes communicating with their colleagues, checking emails, engaging in online discussions, playing mobile games, searching for study information. A respondent also indicated that the use of the mobile phone is limited to free time and not during the lecturers. The responds indicated that the use of the mobile phones has both positive and negative effects on their studies. The negative effects mainly involve interruptions during the lectures, when meeting the lectures or during discussions. The interruptions lead to loss of concentration which has negative effects on the studies. However, the main advantage is the ability to easily obtain information through the use of the mobile phones. The students find it easy to browse for any information using their mobile phones. The apps on the mobile phones also support the learning process with an example being the apps that supports communication between the teachers and the students. The international students also benefit from the use of mobile phones. The apps are used for translations and hence enabling the international students understand the course better. The Google apps in the mobile phones also promote the learning process and translations. Concept Number of respondents Support for use of mobile phones in university 4 Expressed concerns over use of mobile phone 1 Mobile phones have positive influence 4 Mobile phone supports learning through its applications 4 High frequency of mobile phone use 3 Data analysis table On the question of whether the apps are important in the studies, all the respondents indicated that it as useful. The respondents find the apps useful in terms of communication and interacting with the other students as well as the lecturers. The message group function is one of the apps that promote interaction and communication among the students. The apps play an essential role in meeting the general requirements of the students at the university. One of the respondents indicated that the apps are useful in messaging, translation and seeking help on academic issues. Another respondent also cited an app known as KAHOOT which is useful for communication. Some of the mobile apps have electronic dictionaries which supports the learning process. All the respondents agreed that the use of mobile phones in the university is necessary. The main reason that was provided by the respondents is the advantages that the mobile phones have on their studies. Communication is also one of the reasons that the responds cited with regards to the use of mobile phones. A respondent indicated that the mobile phone is an important study tool that the students should continue using. Watching movies and chatting is also a reason that was provided by the respondent for the use of mobile phones by the students. The mobile phone was also cited as being more convenient to the students as compared to other gadgets such as the laptops and the computers. The respondents are fully in support of the use of mobile phones at the university. Analysis The students at the university are in full support of the use of mobile phones. The benefits that the mobile phones have are primarily the source of support. The mobile phone has apps and features which supports the academic works and hence making it an important tool for the students. The mobile phones make it easy for the students communicate with each other as well as with their lecturers (Lepp, Barkley & Karpinski, 2014). This enhances the academic progress of the students. The mobile phone is convenient to the students and it is a preferred academic tool as compared to the computers and laptop. The use of the mobile phone also enables the international students who may not have a proper understanding of English to translate the course contents. The mobile phone replaces some of the old means of communication among the students. Messaging is popularly used by the students for communication which is more convenient as compared to the emails. The mobile phones have features that enable the students to watch movies, play video games and socialize (Taleb & Sohrabi, 2012). The activities are important to the students during their free time at the university. The students are however not comfortable with some of the aspects of the mobile phones. The mobile phones in some instances cause a lot of interruptions when it rings. This affects the concentration of the students and hence impacting negatively on their studies. The students are of the opinion that the mobile phones have positive impacts on their studies. Discussion The mobile phones play an important role in the education sector. This is because it is no longer used for communication purposes only. The current applications in the mobile phones have the potential of improving the education sector. Problem solving by the students at the university can be enhanced through the use of the mobile phone applications. The use of mobile phones in universities is a common practice in most of the universities all over the world (Ongondo & Williams, 2011). The mobile phone apps enable the students from different parts of the world to carry out discussions regarding various academic topics. This improves on the ability of the university students to acquire knowledge. Group discussions by the students within the university can also be enhanced through the mobile phones and hence its convenience to the students. Communication and interactions with the students can be enhanced through the use of the mobile phones. Lecturers may not be required to use emails to communicate with the students when mobile apps are used. Mobile phones can also be used by the students to entertain themselves after a long day of studies. The videos, mobile phone games and the social media can help the students to relax and hence reducing the levels of stress. However the interruptions that the mobile phones may have need to be controlled. In some universities rules are in place to prevent the interruptions by the mobile phones during the lectures (Reese Bomhold, 2013). Conclusion In conclusion, the research indicates the use of mobile phone in the university is supported by the students. It is evident that mobile phones have a wide range of applications that are required by the students. Mobile phones have a lot of benefits to the students due to the associated applications. It is evident that the mobile phones can be used by the students to solve different academic problems. This is an indication that the mobile phones have benefits to the students. It is also apparent that the mobile phones improve on the communication and interaction process among the students and with the lecturers at the university. The international students also benefit from the mobile phone applications which can be used for translation purposes. The mobile phones can also be used by the students for socializing and entertaining themselves during their free time. The research has outlined useful information about the use of mobile phones in the universities. The strength of the research lies on the benefits of mobile phones in universities. The research has clearly indicated the applications that can be used by the students during their studies. The weakness of the research is however, on the number of respondents. Only four respondents were involved in the research. This may affect the quality of the research as it only covers the opinions of a few numbers of students. The university has thousands of students and the representative sample in the research may not provide adequate information. The future research should therefore focus on increasing the number of respondents and also involve different stakeholders including the lecturers because they also spent a lot of time with the students during the lecturers. List References Margaryan, A, Littlejohn, A, & Vojt, G, 2011, Are digital natives a myth or reality? University students’ use of digital technologies, Computers & Education, 56(2), 429-440. Park, S, Y, Nam, M, W, & Cha, S, B, 2012, University students' behavioral intention to use mobile learning: Evaluating the technology acceptance model, British Journal of Educational Technology, 43(4), 592-605. Lepp, A, Barkley, J, E, & Karpinski, A, C, 2014, The relationship between cell phone use, academic performance, anxiety, and satisfaction with life in college students, Computers in Human Behavior, 31, 343-350. Ongondo, F, O, & Williams, I, D, 2011, Greening academia: Use and disposal of mobile phones among university students, Waste management, 31(7), 1617-1634. Taleb, Z, & Sohrabi, A, 2012, Learning on the move: The use of mobile technology to support learning for university students, Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 69, 1102-1109. Reese Bomhold, C, 2013, Educational use of smart phone technology: A survey of mobile phone application use by undergraduate university students, Program: electronic library and information systems, 47(4), 424-436. Kuznekoff, J, H, & Titsworth, S, 2013, The impact of mobile phone usage on student learning, Communication Education, 62(3), 233-252. Creswell, J, W, 2013, Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, Sage publications. Ragin, C, C, 2014, The comparative method: Moving beyond qualitative and quantitative strategies, Univ of California Press. Appendix Interview 1 With the development of technology the mobile phone has been became a pivotal role in society. The various personalities and habitants influence the purpose of using mobile phones. By using mobile phones it can achieve many different requirements and accomplish the tasks which are emergency. Meanwhile the mobile phone could impact students in a negative way which can cause the student drops his/her study somehow. So what is your thought about students using mobile phone on campus especially as a university student? Question 1 How often do you use mobile phone on campus? Answer: This is a silly question. I have not checked the frequency of using my mobile phone actually. But I do know I have to admit it that I use it very much in campus. Question 2 When do you use mobile phone on campus? Answer: If I was looking for my group members or discussing with my group members online I would probably use my mobile phone for a few minutes until the thing has been done. Usually I have to check my email for every 15 or 30 minutes in case of my supervisor or some tutor reply my email. I won't use my phone while I am in class or during the group meeting. It is impolite. Question 3 Does the mobile phone would affect your study in class? Answer: Yes it does. The notifications are useful for most of time but it is annoying and negatively impacting my study while I am in class or study alone. While I am focusing my study or the face-to-face lecture the notification appears with vibrating, that would interrupt what I am thinking or forget where I was listening. However it helps me a lot as well. As an international student I do need the translating app and Google to help me understand the course sometimes. Question 4 Do you think what kinds of apps could help your study? Answer: As group discussing we use the Message's group function. That helps us a lot instead of email. We also use the Google Drive to share the group stuff what we had done, it is fast and easy to learn. There are a large amount of apps as calendar to use such as checklist, exam date etc. They can be set exam date to remind you how many days remaining for the exams and can store the location and more details. Almost forget we have UC app as well. It can achieve the general requirements of most students. Question 5 Do you think the using of mobile phones is necessary? Or not? Why? Answer: Of course it is. You have to contact with people by it maybe the people who live with you have to make sure you are safe when it is late night. Basically everybody checks time on his phone then in campus the mobile phone is helping our study as a study tool in case of you won't check "time" every 2 minutes. Checking the updates of units, new forum topic or Google study material in case of there is no computer can use. Interview 2 With the development of technology the mobile phone has been became a pivotal role in society. The various personalities and habitants influence the purpose of using mobile phones. By using mobile phones it can achieve many different requirements and accomplish the tasks which are emergency. Meanwhile the mobile phone could impact students in a negative way which can cause the student drops his/her study somehow. So what is your thought about students using mobile phone on campus especially as a university student? Question 1 How often do you use mobile phone on campus? Um… about me… more time, because mobile phone is a useful tool which is good for our life. Question 2 When do you use mobile phone on campus? I always use mobile phone in university, For example, I can play mobile games when I have free time, and search for information when studying. Question 3 Does the mobile phone would affect your study in class? Sure. Cause I can search for the information I need by use mobile phone. Question 4 Do you think what kinds of apps could help your study? Um… many apps is useful, like Wechat, message, translate and so on, and I think message is fantastic, when I want to find some people for help, I can use it. Question 5 Do you think the using of mobile phones is necessary? Or not? Why? I think using mobile phone is necessary, because it very convenience like watching movies, giving messages and chatting with each other. Interview 3 With the development of technology the mobile phone has been became a pivotal role in society. The various personalities and habitants influence the purpose of using mobile phones. By using mobile phones it can achieve many different requirements and accomplish the tasks which are emergency. Meanwhile the mobile phone could impact students in a negative way which can cause the student drops his/her study somehow. So what is your thought about students using mobile phone on campus especially as a university student? Question 1 How often do you use mobile phone on campus? Answer: eh…actually 10 mins once a time, hahaha, I know it is too much, but is truth, probability the other guy would use more often than me. Question 2 When do you use mobile phone on campus? Answer: sometimes, maybe, I would use on class, but is not too much, normally, I use laptop. And often used to use in my spare time. Question 3 Does the mobile phone would affect your study in class? Answer: of course, I remember I was in English class, the teacher told us to use the apps called KAHOOT that is a studying type app for communicating between student and teacher. How this working is like teacher show the questions on the screen, and student answer the questions as soon as possible. This thing is the most impress me in my memories. Question 4 Do you think what kinds of apps could help your study? Answer: like what I said just right now. KAHOOT, this kind of communicating stuff. And the electronic dictionary. Question 5 Do you think the using of mobile phones is necessary? Or not? Why? Answer: Using mobile phone is definitely useful and necessary. It could help us a great number of things, like communicating, amusement, studying, working, and it is much convenient than laptop and computer. Interview 4 With the development of technology the mobile phone has been became a pivotal role in society. The various personalities and habitants influence the purpose of using mobile phones. By using mobile phones it can achieve many different requirements and accomplish the tasks which are emergency. Meanwhile the mobile phone could impact students in a negative way which can cause the student drops his/her study somehow. So what is your thought about students using mobile phone on campus especially as a university student? Question 1 How often do you use mobile phone on campus? Answer: hum……I am not sure about that sometimes I use mobile phone to contact with our people. Sometimes, I will search some information online by mobile phone. Question 2 When do you use mobile phone on campus? Answer: if there is somebody text me or call me, I will use mobile phone it depend on when I need it. Question 3 Does the mobile phone would affect your study in class? Answer: I think it does. Because, during class, some student’s mobile as ringing and it has negative effect on class, so it is annoying, Question 4 Do you think what kinds of apps could help your study? Answer: I think some online dictionary and our university’s app are very useful. Because I’m an international student and some English words that I cannot understand, so I can quickly to search the meaning of the word by E-dictionary. It is really helpful. Question 5 Do you think the using of mobile phones is necessary? Or not? Why? Answer: of course, it is necessary. Because mobile phone has become the necessities in our life, we can not only et information and knowledge from mobile phone, but also contact with friends or families. Read More