Awareness of Nigerian Students and Teachers about Potential Use of Cell Phone as a Teaching Aid

Abstract

Aims: This study investigated the awareness of Nigerian students and those of Nigerian teachers about potential use of cell phone as a teaching aid. Study Design: A survey research design. Place of study: Kogi State College of Education (KSCOE), Ankpa, a state owned higher institution of learning located in the eastern senatorial district of Kogi state, Nigeria. Methodology: A total of 100 respondents made up of 50 students and 50 teachers from the state College constituted the sample for the study. Four research questions were developed. Two sets of questionnaire constructed by the researcher were administered to the two groups, the students and teachers. Twelve (12) possible areas that cell phone could be of educational relevance were identified on the instrument for the respondents’ responses. Results and Discussion: Two major results were obtained. One, the students and teachers of KSCOE, Ankpa, have the awareness of the potential use of cell phone as a teaching aid. Two, the awareness notwithstanding, these students and teachers don’t use cell phone to aid teaching and learning. This attitude is not far from inadequate training about the benefits of mobile technology on the part of both the students and teachers as well as readiness of most administrators of Nigerian schools to run technology education. Recommendations: Teachers are to be given more training about the benefits of mobile technology, when and how they can be used through frequent seminars and conferences in order to become more confident in its use before they can convince their students to do so. In addition, they are to be provided with some incentives that will motivate them to apply and encourage technology in the classroom.