RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Many students use wireless technology in transferring data, collecting

data and receiving data from other devices. Wireless technology uses mobile

devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and et cetera. Some of these

wireless technologies are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and many more.

Using wireless technologies and mobile devices have been a part of a

student’s education. Students commonly asked someone about the lesson,

search information in the internet, needs notes for the topics and to

communicate with their co students and teachers. Mobile devices also helps a

student in learning things related to the topic being discussed by searching more

details for it via a wireless technology.

Also, using mobile technology as a medium of learning for students is one

of the things that are now used by many schools. They use technologies like

tablets as a book and notebook of the students. It is also easier to research

about something through the use of these wireless technologies at school.

According to the article from The Journal (2003), Brunswick School in

Greenwich, Conn stated that “it will be counterproductive for the 21st century

student to be harnessed to a computer lab – handcuffed to place and time for

learning to occur."
RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 2

According to Ahed, an English teacher at Balqees School, students

became more engaged, motivated and invested in their own learning by

having them hear themselves reading which is used to enhance their English

skills. This is based from a project that brings wireless technology to underserved

communities globally (National Geographic, 2012).

Wireless technology is a way to provide new content and facilitate

information access wherever a student is located. It enables, empowers, and

engages learning in ways that transform the learning environment for students

inside and outside of school. As noted by Irwin Jacobs, the founding chairman of

Qualcomm, Inc., “always connected mobile devices in the hands of students

has the potential to dramatically improve educational outcomes” (Brookings,

2013).

According to Harvey (2012), in her social studies classroom at Cranford

Burns Middle School, students used smartphones, laptops, e-readers and

anything with wireless internet access to search for a certain topic ad be done

during the class period. According to Principal Adams (2012), Students have their

7 and 8G computers with them so they also might use it at school. They are

familiar with their device so their device so they can use it well and come up with

the answers. BYOD also enables teachers to determine the effectiveness of their

lesson.

According to Fly (2009), a director of nursing, asked her students to bring

their computers at class. Since there are a lot of books in the internet about

online drug books, and they can immediately search to various health related
RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 3

websites. Using this technology, students can visualize more what does she is

talking about.

There are studies that show the effect of the use of mobile devices in

classroom is distraction. There is a report that states that instead of students

taking down notes in their laptop appears to do unrelated classwork such as

surfing the internet. This being a distraction was blamed to mobile technology.

But these could also present opportunities that can change these. Many

professors nowadays share their videos through some educational websites in

which these can be viewed by the students anytime (Fang, 2009).

Technology plays an important role in education. Teachers used devices

to give information to students about a certain topic they are discussing. Mobile

devices provide teachers to personalize learning for every student. Students can

also use an online textbook to read information about the said topic. Also,

teacher adapting mobile devices in classrooms provide an interactive learning

development (Rossi, 2015)

Significance of the Study

This study will benefit the students, teachers and parents. It will benefit

them by knowing how the students think about the use of wireless technology

and mobile devices in relation to learning. It will also benefit them by seeing the

effectiveness of wireless technology to the education of the students.

RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 4

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to know the benefits of wireless technology and mobile

devices to the education of the students and the perspective of the students in

using this mobile technology as a medium of learning.

This study specifically responds to the following questions:

1. What are the benefits of wireless technology and mobile devices to

the education of the grade 10 students of SDCA-BED?

2. How many students would agree in using wireless technology and

mobile devices as a medium of learning?

3. Why would these wireless technology and mobile devices in relation to

learning benefit the students?

Theoretical Framework

There are theories that are related to wireless technology and mobile

devices in education. One of these is the Constructivism Theory which refers to

the idea that learners construct knowledge for themselves. This theory was stated

by Dewey, Piaget and Vigotsky. Plato also suggested that learning is not about

understanding the true nature of things, nor it is remembering dimly perceived

perfect ideas, but rather a personal and social construction of meaning out of

bewildering array of sensations which have no order or structure besides the

explanations which we fabricate for them. This theory means that learners learn

through experiencing how one thing works. Constructivism theory relates to the
RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 5

topic because mobile device with wireless technology is one way on how

students can learn something through experiencing it.

Definition of Terms

Wireless – is the transfer of information or power between two or more

points that are not connected by an electrical conductor

Technology – branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use

of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment,

drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applies science, and

pure science

Education – is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of

knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits

Learning – is the process of acquiring new or modifying existing

knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences

Mobile Device – small enough to hold and operate in the hand

Counterproductive – having the opposite of the desired effect

Harnessed – control or make use of

RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 6

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The study will have a combination of quantitative and qualitative design

that is descriptive in nature. The research will collect data regarding student’s

perception on wireless technology and mobile devices in relation to education.

Population and Sampling

The research will have a stratified random sampling method. The

researcher will hand out the survey questionnaire to some random student. The

researcher will first ask the respondents to answer the survey and if they agreed,

the researcher will explain to the respondents what they need to do.

The sample population of this research will be the Grade 10 students of St.

Dominic College Basic Education. In order to find the sample size, the researcher

will use the Solvin’s formula.

The Slovin’s formula is:

𝑁
𝑛=
1 + 𝑁𝑒 2

Wherein:

n is the sample size

N is the total population

E is the margin of error

RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 7

154
𝑛=
1 + (154)(0.12 )

𝑛 = 61

Total Number of
Grade 10 Students Total Sample Size
Students

10 Hilaria Del Rosario 39 16

10 Diego Mojica 39 15

10 Mariano Trias 38 15

10 Emilio Aguinado 38 15

Total: 154 61

Table 1: Total Sample Size

The sample size of the research will be 61 respondents. In Hilaria Del

Rosario there will be sixteen (16) respondents, Diego Mojica will have fifteen (15)

respondents, Mariano Trias will have fifteen (15) respondents, and Emilio

Aguinaldo will have fifteen (15) respondents.

Data Gathering Procedure

The data will be gathered from this research in a form of a survey

questionnaire. The researcher will conduct a survey from some random grade 10

students. The research will be conducted at St. Dominic College Basic Education

on the 7th floor in which the grade 10 students were located.

RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 8

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study is limited in different mobile devices that the students used. It is

also limited to the responds of the grade 10 students about how it is useful to

them and to their opinion in the use of wireless technology and mobile devices

in relation to learning. The research will be conducted at St. Dominic College

Basic Education. The respondents will be the grade 10 students from St. Dominic

College Basic Education.

Instrumentation

This research will be a combination of quantitative and qualitative

research; therefore, the researcher will use survey questionnaires to gather the

data for this research. The researcher will hand out the survey questionnaire to

some random respondents to gather the data. The data gathered will be

analyzed to answer the questions which were stated in the Statement of the

Problem in Chapter 1.

Statistical Treatment

𝒇
%= × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝒏

Wherein:

% = percentage

f = frequency

n = sample population
RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 9

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Research Question 1: Do you agree with the use of wireless technologies and

mobile devices mean to improve education?

5%

Yes
No

95%

Figure 1: The use of wireless technologies and mobile devices

Based on figure 1, 95% of the total respondents agree with the use of

wireless technologies and mobile devices mean to improve education while 5%

of them disagree. Specifically, 58 respondents agree and only 3 respondents

disagree with the use of wireless technologies and mobile devices mean to

improve education.

According to Fly (2009), a director of nursing, asked her students to bring

their computers at class. Since there are a lot of books in the internet about

online drug books, and they can immediately search to various health related

websites. Using this technology, students can visualize more what does she is

talking about. Since the students agree the use of these technologies, they
RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 10

agreed that these technologies can help them in their studies. This is similar from

the given data above in which 95% of the respondents agree with the use of

wireless technologies and mobile devices mean to improve education. Also, the

respondents said that the wireless devices that they commonly use are Wi-Fi,

Bluetooth, share it, and air drop. Lastly, the respondents frequently use different

mobile devices especially their cellphones. Other mobile devices that they also

use are the tablets and laptops.

Research Question 2: What do you think is the benefit of these?

It gives me
10% knowledge
6%
It provides
31% information
10% It is easier to use

It is fast in doing
9% tasks
It is hassle-free
17%
17% To have good grades

Others

Figure 2: Benefits of wireless technologies and mobile devices

The figure above shows that 31% of the respondents said that the benefit

of wireless technologies and mobile devices to them is it gives them knowledge

about a certain topic. Only 3% of the respondents said that the effect of these if

for them to have good grades in class.

RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 11

Technology plays an important role in education. Teachers used devices

to give information to students about a certain topic they are discussing. Mobile

devices provide teachers to personalize learning for every student. Students can

also use an online textbook to read information about the said topic. Also,

teacher adapting mobile devices in classrooms provide an interactive learning

development (Rossi, 2015). This article is similar to the given data above because

31% of the students gain knowledge through these wireless technologies and

mobile devices.

Research Question 3: Do you think this can help students in learning?

Strongly Agree

45% Agree
55% Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Figure 3: Wireless technologies and mobile devices to learning

The figure above shows that 55% of the respondents strongly agree that

wireless technologies and mobile devices help them in learning. While 45% of the

respondents agrees that these technologies helps them in learning.

RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 12

According to Harvey (2012), in her social studies classroom at Cranford

Burns Middle School, students used smartphones, laptops, e-readers and

anything with wireless internet access to search for a certain topic ad be done

during the class period. According to Principal Adams (2012), Students have their

7 and 8G computers with them so they also might use it at school. They are

familiar with their device so their device so they can use it well and come up with

the answers. BYOD also enables teachers to determine the effectiveness of their

lesson. This article is similar to the data above because 55% of the students

strongly agree that these wireless technologies and mobile devices help them in

learning. This article shows that these were used to search for a certain topic

during their class so these technologies help them in learning. Also, 52% of the

total respondents said that the school they are enrolled into doesn’t maximize

the use of wireless technologies and mobile devices in education while 48% of

the total respondents said that their school maximized the use of wireless

technology and mobile devices. Students said that they commonly see these

wireless technologies and mobile devices being used in the school SDCA, in

some places in the school like the ground floor, acer lab, etc. and in certain

subjects like math, computer, et cetera.

RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 13

Research Question 4: Did these help you focus on studying?

17%
29%
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

54%

Figure 4: Focus of students with wireless technologies and mobile

devices

The figure above shows that 54% of the respondents agree that they still

keep their focus when they are using these wireless technologies and mobile

devices. While 29% of the respondents strongly agree that they can still keep

their focus when using these.

There are studies that show the effect of the use of mobile devices in

classroom is distraction. There is a report that states that instead of students

taking down notes in their laptop appears to do unrelated classwork such as

surfing the internet (Fang, 2009). This article contradicts the data given above.

The respondents said that they still keep their focus in studying even with these

wireless technologies and mobile devices.

RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 14

Research Question 5: What do you think will be the disadvantage of the use of

wireless technology and mobile devices in education of students?

It is a distraction

It is addicting
12%
It can lead to health
7%
problems
6% 41%
It results to laziness

10%
Can be a cause of bad things

12%
12% It limits the use of books

None

Figure 5: Disadvantages of wireless technologies and mobile

devices

The figure above shows that 41% of the respondents said that the

disadvantage of wireless technologies and mobile devices to them is it is a

distraction. While 7% of the respondents said that its disadvantage is it limits the

use books.

There are studies that show the effect of the use of mobile devices in

classroom is distraction. There is a report that states that instead of students

taking down notes in their laptop appears to do unrelated classwork such as

surfing the internet. This being a distraction was blamed to mobile technology.

But these could also present opportunities that can change these. Many
RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 15

professors nowadays share their videos through some educational websites in

which these can be viewed by the students anytime (Fang, 2009). This article

contrasts the idea of the respondents that distraction is the disadvantage of

wireless technology and mobile devices in education. From the article, it says

that this distraction can be changed as an opportunity for teachers to expand

their way of informing students through these technologies.

RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 16

Conclusions

The research was all about the benefits of wireless technologies and

mobile devices in the education of the grade 10 students. In this study, students

will know the possible benefits of wireless technologies and mobile devices to

them. They can also learn from here what do these technologies can do to them

today and what may it help in relation to learning in the near future. The study

was a combination of qualitative and quantitative research design. The study

was consists of 61 respondents from the Grade 10 students in St. Dominic College

Basic Education.

The number of students out of 61 respondents who agreed with the use of

wireless technology and mobile devices mean to improve education is 58 while

only 3 disagreed. The benefit of these technologies to students is these add them

knowledge which was answered by 18 students out of 58. There are 32 students

who strongly agree that these technologies can help them in learning. Thirty one

students out of 58 agreed that they can still keep their focus in studying even if

they use these technologies. Lastly, 24 respondents said that the disadvantage

of these technologies is it is a distraction.

Given the data collected from the respondents, the researcher can

conclude that many students agree with the use of wireless technologies and

mobile devices in education. Students have different benefits of wireless

technologies and mobile devices to them but it is still related about their

education. Students also agree that these can help them in learning since they
RUNNING HEAD: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE DEVICES IN EDUCATION 17

can still keep their focus and the disadvantage of these is it is a distraction but it

can turn to be a way of how the students learn.

Recommendation

The researcher should seek more ideas and insights of students about the

use of wireless technologies and mobile devices. The research should be more

specific about the given topic. The researcher should focus more on what these

technologies can do to students inside a classroom. The researcher should find

more information about the said topic.

Based on the conclusions, student should find more possibilities and on

how do these distraction can help the students in learning. The students should

have to balance on the things that they would do to still have these benefits of

wireless technologies and mobile devices a benefit and not turned it to a

distraction. Students should know their limitation with the use of it and use it

meaningfully. With these results, students should explore more about what do

these wireless technologies and mobile devices can change the way of learning

of students in a positive way.