Students’ perceptions of smartphone use: Institutional policies in Assam, India

Many educational institutions lack well-defined, targeted policies to address problems relating to student smartphone use on campus. In this study, we analyse the patterns of student smartphone use on academic campuses and propose a range of policy measures to address the problems arising from such use. Our research, which draws on primary data collected through a field survey in Assam, India, is one of very few studies in the field to focus on northeast India. Inspired by the literature review, which revealed empirical findings on student smartphone use behaviour, we create and evaluate four policy alternatives: a complete ban on smartphones in educational institutions, the use of student smartphones with proper training, the use of specific smartphones with/without particular applications, and the development of learning platforms and study materials to regulate student smartphone use. Our results show that students who use smartphones prioritise ‘information collection’, although the information they collect may not relate to their studies. We argue that the best policy would be to reduce attention deficiencies by allowing students to use smartphones on campus but not in classrooms. In addition, both teachers and students should receive necessary training on effective smartphone use to exchange academic information.