Mobile phones as a learning tool: a lecturer’s viewpoint

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share a lecturer’s viewpoint on using mobile phone, as an academic tool, in the lecture room. Design/methodology/approach Students were encouraged to use their mobile phones and find information during the author’s class discussions, at the University of the West Indies – Mona Campus. At the end of the semester, the author asked the students if they found mobile phone, a distraction, in their learning process and did they enjoy using them. These questions were asked to understand their perspective, about mobile phone usage during class discussions. Findings The finding is that respondents did not see mobile phone usage in lecture room as a distraction as they learn and they also enjoyed using them. Originality/value Students’ opinion on using mobile phone as an academic tool at the University level has not been explored before in Jamaica. This viewpoint provides the lecturers and university management an opportunity to rethink the existing rules, towards mobile phone usage in class, in an effort to enhance teaching and learning in the Caribbean context particularly in Jamaica.