USAGE OF SMARTPHONES TECHNOLOGY IN LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONGST NURSING STUDENTS

Background: Definitely, the current generation of health care students has grown up encompassed by information technology. Hence, the accessibility and the usage of smart phone gadgets among the students of higher education have been keeping on developing. For this, smart phone technology can make a significant contribution to the process of teaching, learning and academic performance. Aim: To assess the effect of smartphone technology usage in learning environment on academic performance amongst nursing students. Design: A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was used to guide this study. Setting: The study was conducted in the accredited nursing science department, faculty of medicine, A. B. U., Zaria, Nigeria. Sample: A convenience sample of (No.225) respondents from all over the five academic years. Tools: Data collected by using a five part questionnaire as follows, 1) Demographic data sheet, 2) Usage of smartphone technology questionnaire, 3) Usefulness of smartphone technology usage questionnaire, 4) Applications of smartphone technology usage questionnaire, 5) Effectiveness of the smartphone technology usage questionnaire. Results: Smartphone technology usage levels in learning environment had a significant effect on self-reported academic performance throughout the academic years. Conclusion: That smartphone technology as a learning tool can help students to achieve or perform well their studies but in the same time, Smartphone technology as learning tool might be hinders the nursing students from getting the deserved score in their studies (GPA). Recommendation: Nursing educators should design educational methods, activities, and material that are suitable for smartphone technology.