The role of smartphone app “WhatsApp” on achievement motivation and social intelligence among female undergraduate students

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the effects of using a smartphone application (WhatsApp) on achievement motivation and social intelligence in female students at Taif University. Design and Methods: The sample comprised 60 undergraduate female students from a college of education. The design was a quasi-experimental nonequivalent (pretest and posttest) control group. Findings: Achievement motivation was significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group at posttest. However, no significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups in social intelligence at posttest. Practice Implications: Smartphones can increase student learning by fostering high-level skills and concepts.