Students Impression About Using Mobile Phones in Classroom

Abstract

Mobile phones are widely used by university students and there is a controversial topic whether students should be able to use them freely during lectures. A survey was distributed seeking student opinions on using mobile phones in classroom. We used two-phase sampling method to reduce the nonre-sponse bias. There were 392 valid responses. To test the effect of different factors on students' opinions a number of statistical techniques were utilized. The results showed Qatar University students marginally favored using mobile in classroom, but using mobile phone distracted some students who are less in favor of using phone during lectures. The proportion of students who believe that student should decide to use or not use mobile in the classes is 0.635. Apparently, students expected implementation of a policy that controls the use of mobile phones in class. Recommendations include a blanket policy for the University on the use of mobile phones during class, mobile phone breaks given by lecturers during class, utilizing mobile phone as an educational tool, with social media distractions blocked through the university system.