Investigating the Rate of Using Mobile Phone for Educational and General Purposes by Postgraduate Students of the University of Tehran

Subject Areas : Infomartion Technology

Sarem Zafari ¹ (MA Graduate of Adult Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran)
Norouz Ali Karamdoost ² (Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instructional Planning and Methods, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran)
Kamal Dorrani ³ (Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instructional Planning and Methods, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran)
Mohsen Nazarzadeh Zare ⁴ (PhD Student of Higher Education Administration, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran)

Received: 2013-11-28 Accepted : 2013-11-01 Published : 2014-05-01

Keywords: Mobile Phone, Electronic Learning, Tehran University, mobile learning,

Abstract :

The aim of this research was to determine the rate of using cell phone for educational and general purposes by postgraduate and PhD students of the University of Tehran. To obtain this goal, using a descriptive survey method, students' opinions were investigated. The statistical population consisted of 12933 postgraduate and PhD students of Tehran University, among whom a sample of 516 students were selected based on the stratified random sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire, the validity of which had been calculated by e-learning experts and supervisors. Its reliability was calculated 0.84 using Cronbach alpha coefficient. For data analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests in SPSS software were used. The findings showed that the rate of using mobile capabilities and features for general and educational purposes by the students was less than the average rate, and only in some capabilities, such as audio, SMS and call for general purposes was more than average. Other findings showed that general use of mobile phones was different between students based on educational degree and fields of study. Also, there was not a significant difference among educational subgroups in the usage of mobile phone capabilities and features for educational purposes. Therefore, faculty members are recommended to change their traditional approaches in teaching-learning activities to encourage more the student community to use mobile technologies for educational purposes.

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