The influences of smartphones on students’ learning outcomes: A case study perspective

Abstract

Although e-learning management-related research has been pursued in many parts of the world, there is dearth of research that integrates this concept with the increasing trend of smartphone usage for educational purposes. Furthermore, research in the area shows a general lack of contex-tualizing the concept in the Middle Eastern context. Therefore, the aim of this study is twofold: (i) to explore the everyday use and role of smartphones among university students in Kuwait; and (ii) to identify if there are any socio-demographic differences in smartphone usage among university students. A questionnaire was completed by 376 students in order to achieve the study objec-tives. The results showed that students frequently used their smartphones at home and that they sometimes used these phones in recreation places and on transportation, at university, and when walking. Also, they always used their smartphones to complete fourteen non-learning activities, such as making phone calls, using it as a watch and as an alarm clock, and ten learning activities, such as checking their exam schedules, checking class timetables, and checking their grades. Moreover, social networking, learning, privacy, and safety were important reasons offered by students for owning/using smartphones. Furthermore, the study found that at least one of eight socio-demographic variables (i.e., gender, marital status, major/subject, nationality, smartphone brand, using it for the first time, age range, and level of study) has an effect on at least one pattern of smartphone usage. Several recommendations were made based on these findings that may im-prove the effectiveness of smartphone usage among university students in Kuwait.