SMARTPHONES AND COMMUNICATION EDUCATION: A STUDY OF STUDENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION, UNICROSS

This research examined the use of Smartphones in Communication Education by Students of Mass Communication Department as an academic tool. The main objectives of this study were to find out how UNICROSS Mass Communication students utilize smartphones for communication education, to know the implication of using smartphones on students of UNICROSS Mass Communication department and to highlight the benefits of smartphones for communication education for Mass Communication students in UNICROSS. The theoretical framework is the Uses and Gratification theory. The study employed the survey method. The research adopted purposive sampling technique and questionnaire was used to get the primary data from the respondents. At the end of the study, 100 copies of questionnaires were distributed and administered and, the researcher was able to retrieve 98 from the respondents. Findings from the study showed that, smartphones and communication education on students' academics in Mass Communication Department include expanded learning opportunities beyond the classroom, increased accessibility to information, great flexibility in learning, improve organization and time management, and enhanced communication with peers and instructors. The research recommended that, students of Mass Communication can leverage smartphones and social media by joining academic groups and communities, using academic apps, participating in online discussion and webinars and collaborating with peers. This should be a continuous exercise to ensure that students' moderation to smartphone and social media especially for academic activities be enhanced. It further recommended that, the utilization of smartphones and social media should be integrated into the academic lives of Mass Communication students as it has brought numerous positive impacts that enhances the educational experience and career readiness.