The Influence of Institutional Type and Maternal Employment on Smartphone Usage among B.Ed. and D.El.Ed. Students

Smartphone usage has become a ubiquitous aspect of daily life, influencing various facets of education. For teacher education students, smartphones can serve as powerful tools that provide access to valuable educational resources, potentially enhancing academic performance. However, they can also pose significant distractions. Therefore, it is crucial for future educators to strike a balance between leveraging smartphones for educational purposes and maintaining focus on their studies. This study examines the patterns of smartphone usage among Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) students in the Patiala district. Specifically, the study aims to explore differences in smartphone usage across two key groups: government versus private institution students and students with working mothers versus those with non-working mothers. By investigating these variables, the research seeks to provide insights into how institutional type and maternal employment status may influence students' smartphone usage patterns. A quantitative research design was employed, surveying 160 students enrolled in both B.Ed. and D.El.Ed. programs. The research utilized the Smartphone Dependence Scale (SDS) developed by Dr. Yogita Sarwal and Dr. Hardeep Saini (English version) as the primary measurement tool. The findings reveal no significant difference in smartphone usage between students attending government and private institutions. However, a significant difference was observed between students of working and non-working mothers, with those of working mothers demonstrating higher levels of smartphone usage.