THE IMPACT OF GADGETS IN LEARNING AMONG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION:

In today’s generation, technology has become an integral part of our lives. It

impacted our way of living and the way we interact with each other. It is an ever-

evolving and is responsible for our changing lifestyle. Before the advent of technology,

life was troublesome and our chores took too much time to be done. Great opportunities

are being provided by technologies which play an important role in our life. For instance,

the access to education, medicine, industry, transportation, communication etc. has been

simplified and easier due to modern day technology. Our life has improved significantly

due to the efficiency of technology. The stress has lessened and the time that our chores

and work consumes has improved due to the opportunities that technology gave us which

we lack in the past.

More than anything else technology creates our world. It creates our wealth, our

economy, our very way of being, says W. Brian Arthur of the Santa Fe Institute. At this

day and age, technology has taken control of everything.

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Our society has been dramatically changing with the evolution of technology.

Technology evolves over time: “machines started as disparate pieces of seemingly

unconnected technologies, but like humans, they also have an origin and a process of

evolution, (W. Brian Arthur 2009).

With the digital era developing quickly, there is now an unprecedented variety in

choices with regards to technology. Similarly, in education, technology no longer applies

to individual tool, but can encompass many different forms of technology such as

videoconferencing, digital television, USBs, projectors, smart boards and the most

influential and helpful technology are what we called GADGETS. With Gadgets, the

access to the books has become easier. Students can carry the books everywhere, it can

be found in their bags or even in their pockets.

Gadgets play a vital role in the educational field in order to improve the skills

of the students to gain success in the future. Some of these gadgets are, smart

phones/cell phones, laptop, tablets which can be of a great help to the students in terms of

studying.

Laptops can help students write papers more easily as well. Typing can make the

writing process go faster, and the tools in word processing software make it easier for

students to edit their work.

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Considering the numbers of users of the smartphone as well as other gadgets like

tablets and laptops in the classroom, it is not surprising that many students these days are

using gadgets in and out of the classroom and their houses. Cell phone is very important

tool for study as most of the students used their cell phones for study purposes, (Kahari

2013). It is the most popular device in accessing information and communication.

Gadgets also promote independent learning. Nowadays, students can learn

without the assistance of their teachers and parents. The internet has become the treasure

trove of information which we can access anytime and anywhere.

According to Emeka and Nyeche (2016) the internet today is a worldwide entity

whose nature cannot be easily or simply defined. To many, the internet is a large

computer network linking together millions of smaller computers at numerous sites in

various countries belonging to thousands of business, government, research, educational

and other organisations. To the internet users, the internet is a global community-one

with a very active life. In today’s world, the Internet plays a vital role in the teaching,

researching and learning process in academic institutions. Thus, the advent of the Internet

has heralded the emergence of a new form of knowledge production and distribution –

the soft form.

This new form of information resources have as their greatest advantage, a

virtually unlimited wealth of information resources which is widely readily available and

accessible to hundreds of millions of people simultaneously in many parts of the world

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

(Kumar & Kaur 2006). In addition, Amaoge and Igwebuike (2016) believe that the

internet has increasingly become an invariable asset in education in terms of learning,

teaching and research. The use of internet in the tertiary institutions is an exciting

prospect especially when the rugged terrain is the significant impediment to obtain

information for the vast majority of people.

The students cannot ignore the impact of automation and information

processing system on their skill and discipline since almost everything within and

around their environment are centred on technological innovations, (Amaoge and

Igwebuike 2016).

With the use of gadgets, our communication has improved. We used to write

letters that will took weeks and months to be delivered. The inconveniences that we

experienced before has improved due to the benefits that the gadgets provide us. Students

can easily contact their teachers for confirmations regarding to the lesson and class

suspensions. Students can take notes quickly and efficiently to later store and fine them

when they need it. Students can record the discussion and lesson using the built-in

cameras of their devices.

Despite of all of the good benefits that technologies provide to us, it also has

negative effects in the life of the user. Excessive use of gadgets can affect the academic

performances of the students. It causes students to perform poorly in the class, it makes

them lose their concentration because of the addiction to the gadgets. Students who spend

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

several hours each day staring into mobile phones or smartphones tend to change their

lifestyle drastically and negatively.

Nowadays, not only the academic performances of the students that are being

affected by the gadgets addiction but also it changes of how they interact with their

classmates and teachers. Children/Students who play violent games, for a long period of

time, tend to be more aggressive. Such kids, are more prone to confront their teachers,

peers, and relatives, (Md. Hedyet Ullah, IT Expert at Bangladesh Election Commission

2007).

If drug addiction has its symptoms, so does addiction to gadgets. And the

downside of this is that it has taken its toll on education. In this age of electronic

messaging, Facebook and Instagram, no student, it seems, is without an electronic gadget.

Even elementary pupils have either a cellphone or a tablet. And they are loath to leave

these at home, (MANILA TIMES 2019).

“It’s not a drug, but it might as well be. It works the same way… it has the same

results,” said Robert Lustig of the Division of Endocrinology and a member of the

Institute for Health Policy Studies at University of California, San Francisco.

Some studies have shown that students find it difficult not to use their cellphones

even during class hours, leading to poor academic performances. According to Common

Sense Media, teens spend an average of nine hours a day online (paywall), compared to

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

about six hours for those aged eight to 12 and 50 minutes for kids between 0 and eight.

Any way you cut it, it’s a lot of time staring at a screen. (Common sense Census Media)

It’s sad to think that every time our phones don’t have load or when our internet

connection is bad at home, we feel disconnected to the world. We feel like we’re at an

isolated place unable to reach out to anyone. It feels like there is so little we can do

whenever we can’t connect with the cyber/virtual world. Just because we can’t

chat/message or call and it feels like there is too little that we know when we can’t use

internet to search for the information that we seek. Most of us think this way, specifically

the students, who’re always relies on the gadgets and internet.

Take a look around, in a jeepney, in a fast food, or even on the streets. Chances

are most of the people in your line of sight are staring at their phones or other devices.

And if they don't happen to have one out, it is certainly tucked away in a pocket or bag.

Unfortunately, it seems that we, as a society, have entered into a Faustian deal.

Yes, we have these amazing handheld marvels of the digital age tablets and smartphones,

miraculous glowing devices that connect people throughout the globe and can literally

access the sum of all human knowledge in the palm of our hand. Dr. Nicholas Kardaras,

the author of the 2016 book Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids

said. But what is the price of all this future tech? Look around you. Look at any

restaurant that has families with kids; look at any place where kids and teens hang out

pizzerias, schoolyards, friend's houses what do you see? The head-down, glassy-eyed

zombification of kids whose faces are illuminated by glowing screens. Like the soulless,

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

expressionless people in Invasion of the Body Snatchers or the zombies in The Walking

Dead, one by one our young people have fallen victim to this digital plague, he added.

In addition, Dr. Nicholas Kardaras also said that, we have, as a society, gone all-

in on tech, so we don't want some buzzkilling truth sayers telling us that the emperor has

no clothes and that the devices that we've all so fallen in love with can be a problem —

especially for kids and their developing brains, he added.

Conceptual Framework

Independent variables ar4e the technological devices (computer, laptop, notebook,

mobile phone, and tablet). These technological devices are the response variable which is

observed and measured to determine the performances of the students, ehich is dependent

variables.

IV DV

Technological Devices Learning Performances

(Computer, laptop, tablet, of Senior high School
cellphone) students of STEM strand.

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of the Study

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the impact of the gadgets to the Senior high students

who are enrolled into Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics “STEM” of San

Roque National High School.

Specifically, it will seek to answer of the following Questions:

1. What is the student’s frequency of use of the following gadgets in

learning?

a) Cellphone/Smartphone

b) Laptop

c) Computer and;

d) Tablet

2. What are the impacts of the use of gadgets in learning process as

perceived by the students?

3. Is there a significant relationship between the frequency of use of gadgets

and the impact of gadgets?

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

The main objective of this study is to determine the impact of gadgets in the

learning processes to Senior High school Students who are enrolled at STEM of San

Roque National High School. The researchers will also look into the student’s basic

profile, which gadget do they use frequently and to come up with recommendation to

improve the learning processes of the students with the use of gadgets.

Scope and Delimitation

This study will only focus on the impact of gadgets in learning and study

habits of the Senior High School students who are enrolled in STEM of San Roque

National High School based on the perceptions and manners of the students in using

gadgets, as a tool that they can use in their Learning. The study will include 100 senior

high students as respondents who are currently enrolled into the STEM strand during the

school year 2019-2020.

Significance of the Study

This study will determine the impact of gadgets in students’ learning process in

San Roque National High School. This is significant to the following:

Students - This study will help them know the benefits and consequences of

technology in their education, specifically the gadgets.

Teachers - This will give awareness to teachers of how useful gadget is to

improve the learning process of the students. It will also facilitate the educators into

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

giving advices to the students regarding with the appropriate usage of the gadgets in

seeking the knowledge that they need.

School Administrator - This study may be included in school policy. Re: The

use of gadgets in the classroom.

Future Researchers - This study may help future researchers on their own

research. They may widen the scope of their own study or improve this research study. It

will also encourage them to conduct a study about the technology advancement.

Researchers of this study – This study will signify as our fulfilment to provide

and contribute information to the institution and to our fellow students.

Definition of Terms

To make the study easier to understand, the following terms are defined

operationally and/ or lexically:

Cell phone – A cell phone is a type of telephone which doesn’t need a wire to

connect to the telephone system. Instead, it is connected to a radio and can be used

anywhere where its signals can be received. In this study, Cell phone is one of the devices

that the students use in their classroom to learn.

Frequency of use - This refers to the number of times or how often the gadgets

are used by the respondents in learning.

Gadget –Gadget is a small technological object (such as a device or an appliance)

that has a particular function, but is often thought of as a novelty. Gadgets are invariably

considered to be more unusually or cleverly designed than normal technological objects

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

at the time of their invention. In this study, gadgets refer to cell phones, tablets and

laptops which are used by the respondents in their learning improvement.

Impact – is a measure of tangible and intangible effects (consequences) of one

things or entity’s action or influence upon another. In this study, impact is the positive

and negative effects of the gadgets that are being used by the students in their studies.

Internet – The Internet is a global wide area network that connects computer

systems across the world. In this study, Internet is used by the students to browse or

search for unlimited information through online that can help them regarding to their

studies.

Laptop – Laptop computers, also known as notebooks, are portable computers

that you can take with you and use in different environments. They include a screen,

keyboard, and a track pad or trackball, which serves as the mouse. In this study, laptop is

one of the devices that help to make the students learning processes and discussion easier.

Tablet – A tablet is a wireless, portable personal computer with

a touchscreen interface. The tablet form factor is typically smaller than a notebook

computer, but larger than a smartphone.

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Chapter 2

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the research method, locale, participants, research instrument, data

gathering procedure and analysis.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

Descriptive research will be used to obtain information concerning the current

status of the phenomena “What exist?” with respect to variables or conditions in a

situation. The methods involved range from the survey which describe the status quo, the

correlation study which investigates the relationship between variables, to developmental

studies which seek to determine changes over time.

RESPONDENTS OF THE STUDY:

The participants of the study will be the STEM students of San Roque National

High School which are present by the time of the distribution of the questionnaire.

RESEACH METHOD:

This is a study consisting of primary data collection using a mixed method

approach. A questionnaire and focused groups will be completed by all students in all

level under STEM strands. Descriptive sampling will be used within the study. “The

Descriptive sampling technique is also called descriptive statistics is defined as a sample

of data that enables the analyzing of data that helps describe, show or summarize data in

a meaningful way, (UWAIS17 2019)

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INSTRUMENTS:

A combination of research instruments were used to gather the needed

information for this study. A structured questionnaire will be used to gather the needed

information for the study which will use the Likert scale. The questionnaire is one of the

main instruments in this study. Principally, researchers must ensure that the questionnaire

prepared should meet the criteria required in order for the data obtained to achieve the

objectives set successfully. Therefore, the test on the questionnaire is to be administered

prior to the study.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURES:

The needed data for this study was securing a permit in the school administration

in order to conduct a survey. After securing the said permit, the researchers will provide

the questionnaires to the students who are enrolled in STEM strand after giving them

some background information of what are our intentions and what is the study about. The

handling of questionnaires will be done by the researchers personally, this procedures

will also allow the researchers to conduct an interview at the same time consecutively.

The questionnaires will be collected by the researchers at the same day of the

distribution.

REALIBILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT:

To determine the reliability and validity of the instrument, the researchers will

conduct a test-retest method whereas they will give the same questionnaire again to the

students after 10 days of the first survey. This method will be used to determine whether

they retain the same answer in a period of time.

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STATISTICAL TREATMENT OF DATA:

Individual responses will be put in a table for statistical treatment. Mean will be

utilized to quantify the data that will be gathered from the respondents.

Mean is the appropriate statistical tool because there is only one descriptive

interpretation that describes the availability of using technological devices of STEM

students of San Roque National Hogh School.

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REFERENCES

The Nature of Technology by: W. Brian Arthur (BOOK)

The effects of Cell phone use on the study habits of University of Zimbabwe First Year

Faculty of Arts students, (kahari 2013)

EFFECTS OF INTERNET ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF TERTIARY

INSTITUTIONS STUDENTS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA (2017)

Amaoge Dorathy Agbo, Ejike Udensi Igwebuike. Assessment of Internet Awareness and

Use by the Undergraduate Students of College of Agricultural and Science Education

in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. American Journal of

Educational Research. Vol. 4, No. 2, 2016, pp 200-203.

http://pubs.sciepub.com/education/4/2/8

The Negative Effects Of Technology in a students performance (Md. Hedyet Ullah, IT

Expert at Bangladesh Election Commission 2007).

Gadget addiction bane to education, (MANILA TIMES 2019)

Hacking of American mind, (Robert Lustig 2017)

THE COMMON SENSE CENSUS: MEDIA USE BY TWEENS AND TEENS

Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction is Hijacking Our Kids - And How to Break the

Trance (Nicholas Kardaras 2016)

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STUDENTS OF SAN ROQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

"What are types of sampling, purposive sampling, descriptive sampling

difference?" eNotes Editorial, 2 Mar. 2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-

help/what-types-sampling-purposive-sampling-descriptive-640885. Accessed 30 Oct.

2019.

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