BYOD in Higher Education: A Case Study of Kuwait University

Ammar H. Safar, Kuwait University

Abstract

One key trend in the educational application of new technologies involves the integration of the “bring your own device” (BYOD) initiative. This study’s objective was to determine the impact and usefulness of a BYOD program for students’ learning and academic excellence at Kuwait University (KU). A quasiexperimental design was employed that compared classroom assessment scores and final grades for control (i.e., non-BYOD) and experimental (BYOD) student groups. The results showed that BYOD intervention had a statistically significant positive effect on students’ learning and achievement, as measured by improvement in test scores, quality of work on projects, and final grades, along with heightening students’ motivation, attitudes, and involvement in the course.

Keywords:

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), mobile learning (m-learning), ICT integration, academic achievement, students’ learning, students’ attitudes, higher education, university students