Use of mobile devices in higher education: relationship to academic performance and self-regulation of learning

Abstract

The use of mobile devices has multiplied in recent years, forming an essential part of our daily lives. In the field of higher education, they are beginning to be introduced as another tool for improving the teaching-learning process, known by the term mobile learning. The aim of this paper is to analyse the influence of mobile devices on academic performance and self-regulation of learning. A quantitative method was used based on the application of an online questionnaire to a total sample of 420 students of the Degree in Primary Education of the University of Granada. Among the results, the significant influence of sex in the use of mobile devices and, in turn, of the use of mobile devices in the self-regulation of learning is noted. However, the use of the mobile device did not significantly influence academic performance. In short, students find that the mobile device helps in their learning process, since it facilitates access to information and content. Finally, the influence that the mobile device has on education is a key question to know the technological resources that really have a positive effect on learning, which could include Smartphones and Tablets.