Impact of Personal Digital Devices Usage on Academic Performance of University Students in Pakistan

This study aims to determine the impact of using personal digital devices (PDDs) on university students’ academic performance. A survey-based questionnaire was developed and used to collect data from 240 Masters students of final semester (16-years of education) enrolled in the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore selected by proportional stratified sampling technique. The study concluded that the smart phones, mobile phones, laptops were frequently used PDDs by the students for the academic purposes. Students used PDDs for using social networks like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, etc. in order to stay in touch with their classmates regarding their academic needs. It was found that using PDDs helped them improve their English language skills and PDDs also helped in their learning process hence improving their classroom performance. However, the use of PDDs also would divert students’ attention in classroom. The use of PDDs facilitated students in their academic achievements and class room performance by improving the writing skills, their CGPAs/ Grades, and clearing their concepts. It would help the university management play an important role in encouraging their students to use their PDDs positively so they could improve their academic performance and learning