Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article

Mobile Phone Usage in Higher Education Among Pre-Service Teachers in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

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Submitted   Jan 2, 2025
Published   Mar 4, 2025
Issue    Vol 5 No 1 (2025)
DOI   10.25082/AMLER.2025.01.009

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Jacob Kola Aina corresponding author
Physics Education Department, Kwara State College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi, Nigeria

Abstract

Technology integration has transformed education globally, making learning more accessible and seamless. Mobile education plays a crucial role in this transformation, relying heavily on mobile technology devices. Among these devices, mobile phones are particularly prevalent among students in higher education institutions worldwide. However, concerns have emerged regarding how students utilize these devices, prompting discussions among educational stakeholders. This study employed a qualitative research design, selecting 40 pre-service teachers through random sampling and conducting interviews to explore their experiences with mobile phone usage in natural contexts. Guided by the Uses and Gratifications Theory, the research addressed five key research questions. The findings indicate that students use mobile phones extensively, engaging actively on six social media platforms, with Facebook and WhatsApp being the most frequently used. Mobile phones are also widely utilized for academic purposes, with the majority of students using them for reading. Notably, the study identified gender differences in mobile phone usage patterns. Challenges associated with mobile phone usage were also highlighted, including a lack of teacher support and limited access to browsing data. The study concludes by offering recommendations to enhance the effective use of mobile phones for learning, including the implementation of policies to regulate and guide their use in educational settings.

Keywords
higher education, mobile phones, technology integration, social media, internet connectivity

Article Details

How to Cite
Aina, J. K. (2025). Mobile Phone Usage in Higher Education Among Pre-Service Teachers in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study. Advances in Mobile Learning Educational Research, 5(1), 1331-1343. https://doi.org/10.25082/AMLER.2025.01.009
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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