Smartphone Usage among Computer Science Students in Higher Education d uring Covid-19 Lockdown

Abstract
Smartphone is fast emerging as an important pedagogical tool due to its features and capabilities. The study investigated Smartphone use among Computer Science students in higher education during the COVID 19 lockdown with a view to ascertain its effect on their academic activities. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed online to both undergraduate and postgraduate students studying Computer Science at various higher institutions. The result shows that ownership of Smartphone was widespread among the participants and its use had statistical ly significant effects on the academic activities of the participants. Most of the participants admitted that their Smartphones enhanced their access to the internet, school updates, digital learning, communication, research and c ontent creation during the lockdown. Similarly, student’s attitudes towards Smartphone use were also found to be pleasant, and it had statistically significant effects on their extent of usage for academic activities during the COVID 19. However, bad network, small size screen etc were found to inhibit Smartphone use for academic activities.

Keywords: Smartphone, Computer Science Students, Higher education, COVID 19, Digital learning