Smart phones: It’s Impact on Academic Performance in (Science, Math, English) Subjects
of Grade 12-STEM Galileo Students of Dangcagan National High School
By: Hyacinth Shannen C. Jabido (shannenjabido@gmail.com)
Abstract
Chapter I
Introduction
Throughout the decade, the use of technology has significantly improved. In fact, there
are many technologies invented to help us in our daily lives such as to communicate one person
to another, and it aids us to ease our studies/works. Therefore, most of the people rely on their
lives in technology. One of the most used technology is the cellphone. Surprisingly, research on
the influence of mobile phone on our schools today has not been given much attention. There is
the conflicting priority of young people, parents and teachers in relation to the mobile phone
device, with teachers more concerned about the issues such as the behavior in the classroom and
parents worried about means of contacting their children at every point in time. As Ling and
Helmerson (2000) states, the mobile phone is “at cross purpose with the mission of the school”.
Thus, the mobile phone has the power to undermine the schools’ authority and weaken their
control over students as well as affects their level of academic performances. The recent
technological advancements, the innovation of computer and other discoveries in the field of
information technology bring about the introduction of the mobile phone and its multi functions
ranging from voice calls, messaging, data use, multimedia, games (both online and offline) and
other social media services (Jackson, Zhao, Kolenic, Fityerald,Herold,&Venoye, 2008).
As a group, adolescents are heavy users of newer electronic communication forms such
as instant messaging, e-mail, browsing, uploading and downloading, games and text messaging,
as well as communication-oriented Internet sites such as blogs, social networking, and other sites
for sharing photos, videos and ideas, all of which is as a result of the mobile phone. Internet
access has exposed many adolescents to different kinds of contents. Just of recent, the
availability of different kinds of affordable and inexpensive android mobile phones made it very
easy for the adolescents to have access to different types of social media and other sites where
they access, download, exchanging and seek information from all over the world. The situation
is worsened by the ignorance and carefree attitudes of parents who are mostly oblivious of and
careless about these adolescents’ needs and challenges. Most youths of today are highly
influenced and so much affected by what they watch on these social media sites over the internet
that one can easily see the consequences in their academic performance and life styles. The
continuous downwards spiraling in academic performance, the rise in cases of drop-outs, the
increase in most of the unacceptable, immoral, and antisocial behaviors perpetrated by students
in senior high schools today, which include truancy, massive failures, exam malpractices,
improper dress codes, indiscriminate sexual relationships with opposite as well as same sex and
most violent behaviors, can mainly be attributed to the influence of the mobile phone.
Background of the Study
Mobile devices can be used to enhance classroom learning. Some of the useful features
include the ability to access information, record data, and create podcasts (Chartrand, 2007).
They can also be used as a way to gather data for classroom presentations and enhance
interactivity in large classroom settings (Scomavacca, Huff, and Marshall 2009), and serving as
an alternative to “clickers” used in personal response systems (Pellowe et al., 2014). It is also a
trend that mobile devices are replacing traditional tools such as dictionaries, timers, and digital
cameras. Mobile phone is popular since the late 1990s (Meek, 2006) and today, with 7 billion
mobile connections worldwide and unique mobile subscriptions of over 3.5 billion (Twum,
2011), they are very popular with young people and are common place in our educational
institutions. A nationwide survey conducted in 2010 shows that mobile phones are the most
necessary medium of communication for adolescents. It has virtually affected the society’s
accessibility, security, safety and coordination of business and social activities and has hence
become a part of culture of the whole world. Ling (2004), states that traditional agents of
socialization are families and schools. However, the mobile phone gives room to blending
students’ roles with other roles thus distracting and disrupting the students’ academic work
(Gergen, 2002; Halpen,2003; &Franzini, 2002).The mobile phone is used as means of
interactions among people in which they create, share, and exchange information and ideas in
virtual communities and networks (Blumstock& Eagle, 2010). It also uses a group of Internet-
based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0 that
allows the creation and exchange of user-generated contents (Mayer&Mereno, 2003). Also,
guidance and counseling services are either absent or inactive in most schools and the school
teachers are not helping the situation (Taylor & Harper 2003).
Statement of the problem
Generally, this study is about smartphones and the Academic Performance of Grade 12
students of Dangcagan National High School. This also aims to answer the following questions:
1. How many students have access to smartphones?
2. Is there a relationship on how a smartphone is used to Students’ Academic
Performance? 3. Is there a link between smartphone time consumption and Students’
Academic Performance?
4. Does smartphones impact students’ Grade Percentage Average (GPA)?
Objective of the Study
To know:
1. The grades of the students changes by the means of smart phones
2. The parents are aware of their child/ children academic performance
3. The teacher is addressing the problem to the parents and the council
4. Smart phones changes the perpetrated behavioral of the students
5. Students care about their academic consequences
Significance of the Study
This study is significant to the students, parents, teachers and researchers.
Students
After this research, students will be more aware of what are the impacts of smartphones
on their academic performance and thus they could adjust on what are needed depending on the
results of the research, if it will be proven that smartphones increases one’s ability to do work, or
if it would decrease instead.
Parents
When conclusions are arrived, this research would let the parents understand one of the
factors of why their children get better grades or lower grades instead and they will be aware of
the impacts of smartphones on the children’s academic achievement, thus they could serve as a
watch-dog to their children so as to guide them on what are needed.
Teachers
The teachers would be more considerate about the idea that smartphones are not at all bad
to a students’ performance, but also, this research will show them to what extent does
smartphones are useful to a class and its limitations.
Researchers
This research will serve as a basis for next any other researches that are related to the
said topic or problem.
Scope and Limitation
Aside from the fact that the number of population of all Senior High Schoool of
Cansojong National High School is too big to take it all as samples, there is also a limited time
allotted to finish this study. Consequently, this study was limited to at least thirty (20) random
students from Senior High School students, specifically the Grade 12 students enrolled at
Cansojong National High School (Technical-Vocational). This study focuses on the Impact
Smartphones to the Academic Performance of Grade 12 students of Cansojong National High
School for the Academic Year 2017-2018. (By Edita lang ni)
Definition of Key Terms
As words may mean differently in different context, the following definitions are given as
the exact usage of those words used on this study.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) – commonly known as the brain of the computer, mainly to
process data.
Grade Percentage Average (GPA) – the average result of all grades achieved on a semester or
grading period. Impact- refers to the effect of something to another thing. Millennial- a person
who was born in the 1980s or 1990s (Merriam Webster, 2017)
Mobile Addiction- is the repeated use of a substance despite the negative consequences suffered
by the addicted individual.” (Alavi, et al. 2012; Stieglitz&Brockmann, 2013 and S. & A. Davey,
2015) Mobile Poisoning- refers to the habitually using a smartphone without special purpose for
and showing anxiety and restlessness without a smart phone.” (Park, et al., 2014)
Operating System (OS) - the manager of a computer which is responsible for the execution of
application and the control of the system. Research- An academic paper that is made
scientifically by researchers. Researchers- The people behind a research.
Smartphones- Are electronic devices that are considered mini-computers due to its similar
characteristic to a conventional desktop computer, but easier to use and has a lot of advantages
than computers.
Social Media Sites (SMS) - forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social
networking and micro blogging) through which users create online communities to share
information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos) (Merriam Webster,
2017)
Students’ Academic Performance (SAP) - Refers to the achievement of a student measured by
their assessment scores on a quiz or what particular examination it is.
Technology- any tools that enhances students’ learning and achievement; electronic device, or
machines that make work easier to perform.
Generation Z- People who are born just after the millennial; Post-millennial.
Review of Related Literature and Studies
Many researchers have, through recent years, pointed out the advantages and
disadvantages of students using smart phones. It goes both ways, as the use of smart phones
affects the students’ lives not only academically, but also their personal lives. However, smart
phone usage among grade 12- Galileo students of the DNHS ( Dangcagan National High School)
is yet unknown. Nevertheless, the use of smart phones has both positive and negative impacts on
the students who use them.
1. Role of smart phones in academic learning
The role of smart phone and mobile technologies in education must not be ignored
(Tikoria & Agariya, 2017). Academic learning is now innovative as a result of smart phone and
other media in promoting and advancing 21st century needed skills and knowledge (Tulenko &
Bailey, 2013; Emerson & Berge, 2018). Students have experiences of digital surroundings in a
tactile and personal manner, which is brought about by some mobile devices, including tablets
and smart phones (Cano, 2012). Mokoena (2012) argues that the use of smart phones by students
improves collaborative learning through its connection to the internet. This statement implies
that the use of smart hones drives students to be more engaged in learner-centred participation
learning. This is a vivid indication on numerous supports that smart phones have brought to the
students; it advances their understanding by increasing academic performance, social media
participation and information sharing; it helps their social skills by giving them opportunities to
seek academic assistance and support, and many more (Mokoena, 2012).
2. Portability of smart phones as a convenient means of learning for students
Students happen to be interested in ways they can learn and at the same time have their
attention captivated. They may be provided with autonomy over their educational experience
(Buck et al., 2013) and access to standard learning contents and opportunities (Day & Erturk,
2017). As a matter of fact, one of the most important features of the everevolving features of the
smartphone is its small or rather portable size and its ability to be used not only in the classroom,
but also outside the classroom (Mokoena, 2012). This offers an edge over the traditional platform
for learning and teaching, which deals with books and chalk/marker boards behind the four walls
of education institutions
Materials and Methods
Participants and Setting
There were 30 random respondents which was picked from draw lots from the grade 12-
STEM Galileo, who were currently studying in Dangcagan National High School.
Research Instrument
The research instrument used was survey which was used commonly on Quantitative
research. This instrument was composed of the name of the students and grade list on their
previous grade from first quarter to fourth quarter of the school year where the subjects
( Science, English and, Mathematics) is mostly needed
Research Locale
This study was conducted at Dangcagan National High School, Bukidnon. Located at the
Municipality of Dangcagan, Purok-1B, Poblacion, Dangcagan, Bukidnon, 8719, Region X,
Philippines.
Result and Discussion
Literature Cited
Ling and Helmerson (2000) states, the mobile phone is “at cross purpose with the mission of the
school”.
Mobile phone and its multi functions ranging from voice calls, messaging, data use, multimedia,
games (both online and offline) and other social media services (Jackson, Zhao, Kolenic,
Fityerald,Herold,&Venoye, 2008).
Mobile devices can be used to enhance classroom learning. Some of the useful features include
the ability to access information, record data, and create podcasts (Chartrand, 2007).
They can also be used as a way to gather data for classroom presentations and enhance
interactivity in large classroom settings (Scomavacca, Huff, and Marshall 2009)
Serving as an alternative to “clickers” used in personal response systems (Pellowe et al., 2014)
Mobile phone is popular since the late 1990s (Meek, 2006)
7 billion mobile connections worldwide and unique mobile subscriptions of over 3.5 billion
(Twum, 2011)
Ling (2004), states that traditional agents of socialization are families and schools.
The mobile phone gives room to blending students’ roles with other roles thus distracting and
disrupting the students’ academic work (Gergen, 2002; Halpen,2003; &Franzini, 2002)
The mobile phone is used as means of interactions among people in which they create, share, and
exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks (Blumstock& Eagle, 2010)
Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web
2.0 that allows the creation and exchange of user-generated contents (Mayer&Mereno, 2003)
Guidance and counseling services are either absent or inactive in most schools and the school
teachers are not helping the situation (Taylor & Harper 2003).
The role of smart phone and mobile technologies in education must not be ignored (Tikoria &
Agariya, 2017).
Academic learning is now innovative as a result of smart phone and other media in promoting
and advancing 21st century needed skills and knowledge (Tulenko & Bailey, 2013; Emerson &
Berge, 2018)
Students have experiences of digital surroundings in a tactile and personal manner, which is
brought about by some mobile devices, including tablets and smartphones (Cano, 2012)
Mokoena (2012) argues that the use of smartphones by students improves collaborative learning
through its connection to the internet
It advances their understanding by increasing academic performance, social media participation
and information sharing; it helps their social skills by giving them opportunities to seek academic
assistance and support, and many more (Mokoena, 2012).
They may be provided with autonomy over their educational experience (Buck et al., 2013)
Access to standard learning contents and opportunities (Day & Erturk, 2017)
One of the most important features of the everevolving features of the smartphone is its small or
rather portable size and its ability to be used not only in the classroom, but also outside the
classroom (Mokoena, 2012
