Mobile phone devices are the most commonly used types of electronics in the contemporary world. A research that was done by Sarhandi, Bajnaid, and Elyas (2017) indicates that with the development of wireless and communication technology, mobile phones have become more available in every part of the world. Their use has been enhanced by the fact that they are relatively cheap, readily available, and convenient for use (Sarhandi, Bajnaid & Elyas, 2017). The International Telecommunications Union estimates that about 96.88 cell phone subscriptions occurred per 100 people in the 2016, and the sale delivery of mobile phones was 4, 590 million in China in 2017. All people have the interest of owning Smartphone, and more importantly, students who use them in their daily undertakings such as communications, doing research and using them for social media engagements (Tao et al., 2018). Mobile phones enhance a better learning environment since learners can access their learning opportunities at the comfort of their homes. As such, mobile phones have changed most things in the learning institutions and converted the traditional methods of teaching into the modernized way that learners can learn from every corner of the world.
1. Review of the Literature
A . Smartphones for Educational purposes
With an effort to investigate 'student's adoption or confrontation to the use Smartphone, the different hypothetical model has been projected to explain for the learner's ultimate recognition hypothesis like Technology Acceptance Model and the UTAUT which is the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Later on, the UTAUT was adjusted to contain more relevant aspects such as cost projections and customs, therefore, creating UTAUT2 (Tao et al., 2018). The primary aim of theories was to identify the impact that the use of mobile phones has on learners engagement. Notably, the significance can either be negative or positive depending on how the learners use the devices.
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Mobile phones like iPhone Huawei, Nokia, and Samsung, were used as the hybrids of the Personal Digitals Assistants and they offered significant processors, large screens, memory capacity, and open operating systems better than the traditional phones. The above characteristics of the Smartphone give the likelihood of their high relevance in the learning institutions. It is stipulated that in 2015, Yung-Ting Chuang made a Smartphone-Supported Collaborative Learning Systems (SSCLS) that enhanced better learning in most institutions (Sarhandi, Bajnaid & Elyas, 2017). It increased education fulfillment, optimistic outlook towards learning and improving learner’s collaboration expertise, motivating more class involvement, and developing higher reasoning since Smartphone allows them to access many things that happen across the globe. As such ultimate learning in the modern world is considerably related to Smartphone use since it enhances the access of the information in every part of the world.
B . Theory Background
Study indicates that learner’s engagement is the degree in which learners participate actively in the learning activities, and it entails the attempts they make in time and the energy they use to commit to educational activities that enhance their daily development. It also requires the learner's emotional investment in learning concerning incentive understanding and the objectives that one may set to achieve at the academic level. The theoretical models of the learner's commitment are made up of behavioral, emotional participation, and cognitive engagement (Sarhandi, Bajnaid & Elyas, 2017). Among the key attributes of learner’s engagement is illustrated in the process of the institutions offering their resources to the learners and categorize the syllabus and other educational prospects for the learners to partake in activities that enhance their development.
Using technology as a learning instrument enhances the engagement of the learner s in class and any other activity outside their class learning. For instance, in most universities fancy using a social network to support their ways of learning. In the modern world, a lot of information is displayed in the internet platforms and accessing them becomes easy for the learners since they do not have to physically access any library or resource center to get the needed information. Some other studies indicated that the profundity of commitment relates to the depth of the learning that learners participate in. When there is a lot to be done, learners engage in in-depth research that they have to fight Smartphone all the time to do thorough analysis from different studies (Tao et al., 2018). As such, learners usually engage one another into the learning, making it ideal in the contemporary world.
2. Analysis
Self-Directed Learning (SDL) originates from the studies and practices of the adult's learners. It is a strategy of training which can be described by the amount of accountability that students recognize their learning approaches. The Self-Directed Learning refers to the instinctive aspiration to control the way a person makes decisions primarily related to learning and the strategies that a person can implement in learning in and outside the class work (Milesi et al., 2017). Therefore, Smartphone enhances a better environment where learners have the incentives to gain since they have the devices throughout their learning time in school.
A research that was conducted by Milesi et al. (2017), indicates that the Self-Directed Learning is the primary human proficiency that entails the capability to learn everything that surrounds a person. It does not mean that a person has to depend on one strategy of learning (Milesi et al., 2017). Acquiring knowledge involves the necessary environment and other situations that require critical thinking among learners. Therefore, Smartphone is technological advancements that have enhanced all these aspects, and learners can interact and share ideas amongst themselves and other platforms that engage other people in society. Tao et al., (2018), states that the Self-Directed Learning is a model that constitutes three dimensions (Tao et al., 2018). For instance, there is management of self, personal-assessment, and inspiration. When Yang incorporated on-site training seminars with online learning society through the Self-Directed Learning system to advance the vocational college learners sovereignty, the study indicated that the readers accomplished most of their undertakings better when the incorporated Smartphone (Sarhandi, Bajnaid & Elyas, 2017). As such, it is a critical strategy to enhance a better learning environment for the students.
It is stated that an environment that is rich in technology can offer learners with a great chance and capabilities that can improve their learning. The study indicated that learning involvement is completely critical after they understand that surveys like the National Survey of 'Student's Engagement (NSSE) indicated that there are a lot of positive impacts for the undertaking. There is a strong correlation between learning and Self-Driven Learning. Use of Smartphone by learners enhances an increase in confidence when addressing issues and participation in discussion groups. They, therefore, have a better understanding as compared to people who do not use Smartphone in most of their practices (Tao et al., 2018). Milesi found a direct correlation between the system utilization and personal significance in the success of the learners. Therefore, the way learners use their Smartphone can either affect them positively or negatively (Milesi et al., 2017). However, most people benefit positively since they use a Smartphone to enhance their learning and understanding of the curriculum, and it improves even their performance.
3. Conclusion
In general, for most of the learning institutions across the world, an argument always exist won whether technology enhances the learning of the students and their engagements. Also, many people want to know if technology boosts learning outcomes of students. Different studies have been conducted to identify the role of technology in education. Smartphone being among the most common forms of technology plays a crucial role in enhancing better approaches those learners implement in their studies. Use of Smartphone enhances a better understanding of the key concepts in learning and also plays a role in increasing in-depth research among the learners since there are different platforms that people can use to conduct research. Other studies have also indicated the negative impact of technology use in learning institutions across the world. For instance, some learners also overuse Smartphone for other activities instead of learning instead of doing academic work. For example, participation in social media platform activities or addiction to the use of social media platforms such that they only engage in other businesses that do not include concern learning negatively affects learners.
In the 21st century, technology has changed such that learners can access information from different parts of the world. The Smartphone, being the most comfortable gadget that a person can carry around, is critical in the modern world since learners do not have to attend classes for learning physically. The Self-Drive Leaning is only enhanced by the motivation of the learners to participate in learning activities and avoid any other thing that may interfere with the learning. Study indicates that there is a relationship between learners who perform well and the use of the Smartphone. Through the research, it is clear that those that engage themselves through the Smartphone have a lot of ideas that others that do not utilize the Smartphone do not have. Such aspect is enhanced by the fact that a lot of information gets displayed on the internet, and it is easy to access using a Smartphone. As such, Smartphone plays a critical role for learners.
References
Enwereuzor, I. K., Ugwu, L. I., & Ugwu, D. I. (2016). Role of Smartphone addiction in gambling passion and schoolwork engagement: a Dualistic Model of Passion approach. Asian journal of gambling issues and public health , 6 (1), 9.
Milesi, C., Perez-Felkner, L., Brown, K., & Schneider, B. (2017). Engagement, persistence, and gender in computer science: Results of a Smartphone ESM study. Frontiers in psychology , 8 , 602.
Sarhandi, P. S. A., Bajnaid, A., & Elyas, T. (2017). Impact of Smartphone Based Activities on EFL Students' Engagement. English Language Teaching , 10 (6), 103-117.
Tao, Z., Yang, X., Lai, I. K. W., & Chau, K. Y. (2018, July). A Research on the Effect of Smartphone Use, Student Engagement and Self-Directed Learning on Individual Impact: China Empirical Study. In 2018 International Symposium on Educational Technology (ISET) (pp. 221-225). IEEE.
