Chapter I

Rationale
Globalization has changed our lives and one of the ways in which it is changing our lives,

everyday, is how we communicate; thanks to advancements in Information and Communication

Technologies (ICT). Mobile phones have become an almost essential part of daily life since their

rapid growth in popularity in the late 1990s, Ling (2004). Surprisingly, research on the influence

of mobile phone on our schools today has not been given much attention. There is the conflicting

priority of young people, parents and teachers in relation to the mobile phone device, with

teachers more concerned about issues such as discipline in the classroom.

Cell phones have become the most popular way to communicate with other individuals.

While cell phones have become less of a status symbol and more of a fashion statement, they

have created an unspoken social dependency. Adolescents and young adults are more likely to

engage in SMS messing, making phone calls, accessing the internet from their phone or playing a

mobile driven game. Once pervaded by boredom, teenagers resort to instant connection, to

someone, somewhere. Cell phones are used for entertainment, information and social

connectivity. It has been demonstrated that individuals with low self – esteem use cell phones to

form and maintain social relationships. They form an attachment with cell phone which molded

their mind that they cannot function without their cell phone on a day-to-day basis.

In this context, the study attempts to examine the extent of use of mobile phone and its

influence on the academic performance of the students. A face to face survey using survey

questionnaire was the method used to elicit the opinions of students between the age group of
12-16 years old and above. The survey was administered among 30 grade 8 students of Bitoon

National Vocational High School. The participants are selected grade 8 students and were mobile

phone users.

Objectives of the study

This study assesses the rampant usage of cell phones of grade 8 students of Bitoon

National Vocational High School for the school year 2018-2019.

1. It seeks to address the effects of cell phones to the academic performance of the

students.

2. To find out the positive and negative effects of cell phones to grade 8 students.

Methodology

Environment

Bitoon National Vocational High School was used as the locale of the study. The school is

situated in the leading barangay of Dumanjug.

Researcher’s Instrument

The researcher uses a survey questionnaire in gathering the data to find out the effects

of cell phones to the academic performance of grade 8 students.

The survey questionnaire has two parts. The first part is the personal profile of the

respondents. The respondents’ gender and age. Then the second part is the questionnaire. The

survey questionnaire has 10 items.

Respondents

The respondents of the study totalled to 30 grade 8 students of Bitoon National

Vocational High School in the school year 2018-2019. These respondents were chosen regardless

of their age and gender.

 Chapter II

Results and Discussion

Table 1

Distribution of Respondents by Age

Age Frequency Percentage Rank

12-13 12 40% 2

14-15 14 47% 1

16-above 4 13% 3

The first table shows the distribution of respondents by age level. Twelve or 40% of the

respondents are belong to the age bracket of 12-13. Then the other 14 or 47% of the respondents

belong to the age bracket of 14-15. Lastly, 4 or 13% of the respondents are in the age bracket of

16 and above. The table shows that most of the respondents are in the age bracket of 14-15.
 Table 2

Distribution of Respondents by Gender

Gender Frequency Percentage Rank

Male 8 27% 2

Female 22 73% 1

The table shows the distribution of respondents by gender. Eight or 27% of the student-

respondents are male and twenty-two or 70% are female. This means that most of the

respondents are female respectively.

 Table 3

Impact of Mobile Phones on Learning

Statement Weighted Variable Explanation

Mean Description

1. How often does my academic 3.73 Often 60% to 79% of the

performance has been behaviors were

increased due to mobile manifested by the

technology? students

2. How often do you open your 2.84 Sometimes 40% to 69% of the

cell phone in the classroom? behaviors were

manifested by the

students

3. How often do you use your cell 3.17 Sometimes 40% to 69% of the

phone in gaming? behaviors were

manifested by the

students

4. How often do you use your 4.24 Always 80% and above of

phone in searching social media the behaviors

( Facebook, twitter, instagram ) were manifested

by the students
5. How often does the use of cell 3.04 Sometimes 40% to 69% of the

phone in class assist your behaviors were

learning? manifested by the

students

6. How often does the Mobile 4.9 Always 80% and above of

Phone has helped you to the behaviors

improve the level of the quality were manifested

of education? by the students

7. How often does the use of cell 2.56 Seldom 20% to 39% of the

phone during your study time behaviors were

distract you? manifested by the

students

8. How often does the use of cell 2.43 Seldom 20% to 39% of the

phone in class interfere your behaviors were

learning? manifested by the

students

9. How often do I waste my time 2.26 Seldom 20% to 39% of the

sending/writing SMS during behaviors were

class work? manifested by the

students
 10. How often do the 2.74 Sometimes 40% to 69% of the

calls/messages received just behaviors were

before class impact on your manifested by the

ability to concentrate students

The table above shows the impact of cell phones in the academic performance of the

students. The result in each item help us to understand how the students use their phones and

how it affects in their performance in the class.

Conclusion

The researcher concluded that using of cell phones has positive and negative effects of

the students. The students may find the cell phone essential to their studies. It helps them in to

improve their academic performance and improve the quality of education. However, other

students just use it for social media and gaming that could also affect their performance in school.

Therefore, a parents’ move of discipline and guidance in using cell phone may help students to

do better in school.
 In Partial Fulfilment for the Requirements

Of the Course Language of Media

A Case Study on the Effects of Cell Phones to the

Academic Performance of Grade 8- Students

Submitted by:

Elizabeth P. Albino

Vanessa C. Maghanoy

Submitted to:

Mrs. Fenina Margallo

Instructor