Perception Of Secondary School Teachers And Their Students Towards The Use Of Mobile Phones In Secondary Schools In Kilosa District

ABSTRACT

The study dealt with the perceptions of secondary school teachers and their students towards the use of mobile phone for educational purposes in government ordinary secondary schools in Kilosa district. The study was guided by two specific objectives which were; to explore the perceptions of secondary school teachers and their students towards the use of mobile phone for educational purposes in ordinary secondary schools in Kilosa district, and to examine what measures have been taken to address the challenges of mobile phone use for educational purposes. Moreover, the study used qualitative research approach while employing cross sectional survey as the research design in which data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions. The sample was purposely drawn from two government secondary schools in Kilosa district. The study involved 12 respondents from two studied secondary schools namely Kidodi and Mikumi secondary schools. The findings revealed that, secondary school teachers and their students are using mobile phones at school for personal related activities where by very few teachers and students are using for educational activities. Also, the findings revealed that school administration perceive the use of mobile phones among students is distraction. This implies that students are prohibited to use mobile phones at school compound. Therefore, numerous numbers of measures have been taken to overcome the challenges are like setting school bylaws, administering punishment and providing education on better use of mobile phones. Basing on the findings of the study, we recommended proper use of mobile phones for educational purposes in secondary schools and encourage further research along the lines of the present research.