Determinants of Mobile Devices Adoption amongst Students: A Case of Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the factors influencing mobile device (MD) adoption and usage amongst students of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania.  A cross-sectional survey design was employed, utilizing a quantitative approach to assess MD usage patterns and related perceptions. The target population (10,580) consisted of second- and third-year undergraduate students, with a sample size of 1,058 respondents obtained through an online self-selection process. A self-administered questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model was utilized, incorporating demographic section, Likert-scale items measuring perceived usefulness (PU), and perceived ease of use (PEoU) and a multiple selection part measuring the most preferred mobile applications. With the Statistical Pacage for Social Science (SPSS) v25, collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (independent-samples t-tests and binary logistic regression). Findings reveal that smartphone ownership is prevalent among students. Gender and family income were found to have significant contribution to students’ will to adopt mobile devices for learning purposes. Male students are more likely to adopt MDs for learning than their female counterparts. Students from high income families are more likely to adopt mobile devices than those from low income families. Based on these findings, it is recommended that educational institutions develop inclusive curricula integrating MDs into learning experiences while addressing socioeconomic barriers through targeted support mechanisms for low-income families.