TECH-FREE ZONES ESTABLISHMENT AND DUMB-PHONE UTILIZATION AS DIGITAL DETOXIFICATION PREDICTORS OF STUDENTS' ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENTS IN UNIVERSITIES IN RIVERS STATE
Agha Chisara Julia, Agala Humphrey Obinna
., University of Port Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria
Abstract
The study investigated the establishment of tech-free zones and dumb-phone utilization as digital detoxification predictors of students’ academic improvements in universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Two research questions and hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted the correlational research design. The population comprised 3680 students from the Department of Educational Management of the three public universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. A sample of 1,472 students, representing 40% of the total participants were drawn using the stratified random sampling technique. The instruments for data collection were: Tech-Free Zones and Dumb-Phone Utilization Scale (TFZDPUS) and Students Academic Improvement Scale (SAIS), designed by the researchers in a modified 4-point Likert scale model. The reliability coefficients of the instrument using Cronbach alpha methods were 0.73 and 0.89. Simple regression was used to answer research questions and in the test of hypotheses, t-test associated with simple regression was used. The findings of the study revealed that tech-free zones and dumb-phone utilization as digital detoxification variables predict students’ academic improvements in areas of maintenance of work-life balance, fosters emotional intelligence, fosters academic breakthroughs, reduced smartphone addiction, restores natural rhythms, enhances academic relationships amongst others. The study concluded that tech-free zones and dumb-phone utilization as digital detoxification strategies are strong and viable predictors of students’ academic improvements in universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Hence, the study recommended amongst others, that school authorities and students should continue to utilize the different digital detoxification strategies in detoxifying students from digital technology devices in order to increase the tempo of their academic improvements.
Keywords: Tech-Free Zones, Dumb-Phones, Digital Detoxification, Academic Improvements
Journal Name :
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EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR)
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Published on : 2023-02-13
Vol | : | 9 |
Issue | : | 2 |
Month | : | February |
Year | : | 2023 |