CONNECTING THE FUTURE CITIZENS: THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES FROM PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GREECE

Mobile phones have become an essential part of the daily lives of the younger generations. They are introducing new ways of communication social contact and places of non-forma education. The aim of the paper is to examine the extent of use of mobile phones as well as the way that can help to improve educational outcomes.

Mobility is a new paradigm that outlines the vision of communication media today (Ishii, 2006). Katz and Aakhus (2002) used the term “apparatgeist” to describe the development of personal communication technologies in our society. According to Katz and Aakhus, mobility has become one of the most important aspects of the contemporary medium. Contextual mobility is a key to understanding the social consequences of the introduction of the mobile phone into our society (Kakihara & Sorensen, 2002; Ishii, 2006). Context is one of the most important factors accounting for interpersonal behaviors. In face-to-face interactions among people, communicators need to conform to contextual aspects, which continuously reframe their interaction, including people’s cultural background, specific situation or mood, and mutual recognition. Mobile media enables relatively free communication in specific contexts. He uses and gratifications approach has more generally attempted to explain why people use mobile phones. Dimmick, Sikand, & Patterson (1994) indicated three factors of gratifications obtained from the use of household telephones: sociability, reassurance, and instrumentality. Leung & Wei (2000) found that the use of mobile phones comprises seven dimensions: fashion and status, affection and sociability, relaxation, mobility, immediate access, instrumentality, and reassurance.
My research group will be primary education students from the age of 6 to 12 in order examine the way that digital technology is shaping younger generations habits, performances and trends.
The aim of my research will be to explore the extent of use of mobile phones among the students of primary education and the results that can have in the evolution of the media landscape. In addition we will examine the way that we can exploit non –formal education means in order to improve educational outcomes.