1.0 Introduction
Mobile phone also known as G.S.M. Hand phone, wireless phone, cell phone, cellular phone and telephone is a long-range electronic device used for mobile voice or data communication over a network of specialized based stations known as cell site (Blake, 2004).
According to Blake (2004) standard voice function of a mobile phone, telephone, current mobile phones may support many additional services and accessories, such as Short Message Service (SMS) for text message, email, packet switching for access to the internet, gaming, Bluetooth, infrared, camera with video, recorder and multimedia service (MMS) for sending and receiving photos and video, mp3 player and radio.
Many students of various academic institution make use of mobile phones for their research work. Majority of phones are now connected to the internet students find it very easy to browse with their phone other than going to the cyber café.
Mobile phones is used by students to communicate with friends and families. It has helped a lot of students to get information or programmes in the school through calling or texting the person involved. Students also use mobile phones to share experiences and receive emotional and psychological support from their parents.
Majority of students finds it difficult to purchase a quality phone due to the cost price.
The issue of low battery affect students use of the mobile phones. In view of the foregoing, it is the intent of the study to empirically find reasons for using mobile phones, role of the mobile phones in their academic pursuit and the problems associated with students use of mobile phones and proffer workable solutions to them and time spent.
1.1 Statement of the Problem
In many academic institutions, mobile phones has increased the rate of communication among students and has improve their level of learning in the area of research.
Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult for effective communication due to the high cost of purchase of mobile phone and the frequent network failure.
1.2 Objectives of the Study
- To find out whether pharmacy department university of Benin students spend time in making calls.
- To determine the reasons for using mobile phones by student of pharmacy department university of Benin.
- To ascertain the roles of mobile phones in student academic programmes.
- To know whether the use of mobile phones do satisfy students information needs.
- To identify and highlight the problems of students use of mobile phones and proffer workable solution.
1.3 Research Questions
- Do students of pharmacy department university of Benin spend time in calls?
- What are student reasons for using mobile phones?
- What are the roles of mobile phones in student academic programmes?
- Does the use of mobile phones satisfy students information needs?
- What are the problems associated with the use of mobile phones?
- What are the solution to these problems?
1.4 Scope of the Study
This study is on the use of mobile phones by students with particular reference to pharmacy department university of Benin.
1.5 Significance of the Study
This research work is focused on the use of mobile phones by students of pharmacy department university of Benin, ascertain whether these method aid on how student of pharmacy department university of Benin use their mobile phone also to proffer solutions to problems when necessary to encourage maximum use of mobile phones by students.
It will also add to the increasing literature on the topic which can be used as reference materials by students and researchers in the field of library and information science.
1.6 Historical Background of University of Benin and It's Pharmacy Department
University of Benin was founded in 1970 by then mid western state government initially as the mid west institution of technology. The institution achieved full university status in July 1971 and became the University of Benin 1975. The institution run but B.S.C, post graduate and master degree that started with three faculties. faculty of medicine, pharmacy and engineering and later had Art, social science and education.
The university main library John Harris was named after a pioneer university librarian Prof. John harris from Newzealand the Library is situated at Ekehuan Road campus with ultramodern building. The library is open between the hour of 8-8pm the library has section that make up the library and their head. The Chief Librarian S.A Ogurombi.
- Serial headed by T.A. Elugie
- Reference headed by Mrs. C.D. Demowu
- Circulation headed by A.R. Garube
- Acquisition headed by R.I. Uguanbi
- Catalogue unit headed by Eifi A.O
The pharmacy and pharmacology faculty is situated at Ekehugn the department run fulltime and part time programmes. The department is headed by Mr. Ehu A.E. The department has training library for easy access to pharmacy students. The training libraryi headed by a library officer Igbinovia J. And the library is controlled by the university librarian.
1.7 Definition of Operational Basic On CEPT
Mobile phone according to Webster Dictionary is a radio or device that is capable of transmitting voice calls, information and message from the source encoder to a receiver the decoder. Awake, (2006).
Internet is a computer and other communication devices connected to each other using telephone lines, satellite and other devices using a common language Ukoha, (1997).
