Technology can be convenient in many cases, but when it comes to learning environments, technology can serve as a distraction rather than a benefit. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between technology and the academic performance in students when technology is permitted in classroom settings. The hypothesis predicts that academic performance in classrooms is increased when students are not allowed to use technology during class. 100 students from two classes will participate in a semester long study using regular class assignments to determine if technology has an impact on over all grades and academic performance. There will be a total of 200 students that will be analyzed at the end of the semester. …show more content…
A previous study showed there was a correlation between exam performance and note taking preference. The individuals who took notes on paper scored remarkably higher and laptop users scored significantly lower than predicted by pre-class academic indicator (Aguilar-Roca, N., Williams, A. E., & O'Dowd, D. K., 2012).
Computers are aimed to enhance student learning both inside and outside the classroom, but they also increase the potential for multitasking. Research has shown that not using laptops in an educated manner is related to performing more off-task activities such as checking email and playing games during class. Fried (2008) found that laptop use had a negative correlation to multiple learning outcomes. These included course grade, how much attention students reported paying to lectures, how much they comprehended from the lecture, and understanding of course material (Junco, R., 2012). A study was conducted to investigate the effects of multitasking while studying. Using hierarchical regression analyses, they found that using Facebook and texting while completing class work had a negative association with overall grade point average.
In another study using the survey approach as well,well; it has been found that students commonly use laptops for on-task and off-task purposes during class. Although many students reported using laptops for academic purposes for large periods of time throughout
Sana, Weston, & Cepeda (2013), Laptop multitasking hinders learning for both users and nearby peers. Computers & Education 62 (2013): 24-31.
This is a problem that is common among most colleges and universities today; according to studies conducted by Pam Mueller and Daniel Oppenheimer, in most college classroom settings where internet access is available, evidence suggest that when these students use laptops, “they spend 40% of class time using applications unrelated to coursework, are more likely to fall off task, and are less satisfied with their education (May).” However, the solution for this problem is relatively simple. The most sensible way to rid distractions in the classroom caused by the use of laptops and other personal technology is to no longer allow students to use this technology in the classroom unless it is absolutely required for a class assignment, and also with the exception that some students may have medical disabilities that might require them to have some sort of technological device in class. In the case of a disability or otherwise medically documented illness or academic need, a provision should be made to allow these students to still have the technology in the classroom. Clay Shirky endorses that students seemed to noticeably exhibit signs of relief when asked to put aside their devices when they were allowed in class, and additionally that it was “as if someone has let fresh air into the room (Strauss).” This demonstrates that the classroom environment becomes much more lively and engaged from the learner 's side of the room when technology is pushed out of the
In this article, two researchers, Pam Mueller and Daniel Oppenheimer, explore the various factors of handwritten notes versus laptop taken notes. Cindi May says, “Laptops do in fact allow students to do more, like engage in online activities and demonstrations, collaborate more easily on papers and projects, access information from the internet, and take more notes.” All of which are true, but Mueller and Oppenheimer proves that the innovative technology is not always a good thing. Over the course of three experiments, students take notes via laptop and via hand in classroom settings and are later tested on their memory on the material they took notes on. In each study, students who used laptops took more notes but did not comprehend as much
Books and face to face learning have started to dissipate as technology has taken over. The internet has taken over the teaching world. Apps have been on the rise since iPads and laptops have been introduced into school districts around the country. Applications like Notability, Desmos, and Quizlet have made it easier for kids to study on their own. Online classes are also growing more and more popular since students can double up on classes and get more credits in less time. Younger students don’t use devices for the same reasons, but to catch up on things they may miss in school due to absences or other extenuating circumstances. The school issued electronics are also great for reviewing materials at home, in the instances of an upcoming test. Most classes and teachers have the added help of being able to teach and or use devices for students benefit. Other classes, like art or gym do not benefit. Visual and physical classes are more difficult in the sense that they require full participation from students. Devices can serve as a distraction in these instances. Especially in cases where material is not
We all know technology is changing everyday. As laptops are becoming more popular in today 's society, especially in a college classroom setting, professors have noticed more and more students with their faces engaged on the computer screen and not the lecture. There have been recent studies that show in classroom use of laptops can affect students and their learning.
While there are frequent situations throughout my school day that require me to be on technology, I have decided to take conscious steps to reduce my technology use. I will always take notes by hand instead of online, and I make sure to have my technology off during class lectures. Through disengagement from the online world, I have found that my understanding of material goes up, and that I absorb more information. If we can learn to monotask again, our centers of learning shall become more engaging for the student and ultimately more
Today, many campuses offer free Wi-Fi internet access in all classrooms. However, students abuse the advantage of Wi-Fi internet availability and misuse their laptops in ways that prevents them to engage and concentrate in class. Carrie B. Fried’s points out that although her research demonstrated that laptops are an effective learning tool, there was more suggestive evidence to ban laptops in class because they detract students from learning. Based on her research results, she concluded that students learning are negatively related to in-class laptop use because students spent “considerable time multitasking and that laptop use posed a significant distraction to both users and fellow students” (Computers and Technologies Journal). With Wi-Fi networks, it allows students to use the internet and do non-course related activities: check emails, play online games, visit social media networks such as Facebook and Blogger, and instant message other friends inside and outside of their current classroom. Students performing non course related activities on their laptops distract their fellow classmates as well. A student who misuses their laptop hinders their own learning as well as the learning of peers who are using their laptops appropriately. A student watching a comedy and smiling can distract another classmates’ learning and the disrespect the professor who is struggling to teach.
at. 2014). they used 332 students to participant in this study took surveys on whether or not they though technology in the class room hindered their learning abilities . Some said they thought that laptops helped them because they could type their notes faster and have in all organized in one place so they could just find it easily later on . While others in the survey said that they prefer paper and pencil because they felt they got to distracted by things like twitter, Facebook, and histogram while on the computers.. The results were fairly distributed among the people and there thoughts on technology and has helped the study form more design and assessment of technology-rich learning environments and develop more programs involving technology use in their teaching.(Gebre, E el. at.
Carter, Susan Payne, et al. “The Impact of Computer Usage on Academic Performance: Evidence from a Randomized Trial at the United States Military Academy.” School Effectiveness & Inequality initiative, MIT’s Department of Economics and the US National Bureau of Economic Research, May 2016, www.seii.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/SEII-Discussion-Paper-2016.02-Payne-Carter-Greenberg-and-Walker-2.pdf.
Technology consumption being student’s main focus has lowered academic performance. A different study conducted by a professor at Longwood University revealed, a one-point difference in average number of times a student uses a cell phone during class was associated with an average decrease of six-tenths of a point out of a score of 100 on tests. “As cell phone use in class goes up, test scores go down.” (Dr. Chris Bjornsen). Lower test scores can have rippling consequences on a student’s
Transferring the teaching method from out of the textbook to laptops can be very distracting. Of course all electronic devices come with games or at least some application you can download. The Students will be able to access many apps including; games, email, social media, and instant messaging classmates (Hurst). Even without this change, students are already constantly on their phones texting or playing games during classes. Do we really want to have more distractions?
One reason technology harms student learning is by distracting the learner and those around them. A student can distract the people around him/her by opening other tabs while in the middle of a lesson. According to “Screen or Scribble?”, “The glut of laptops has brought a world of distractions to class; students can now get lost online with ease that would once have been considered unfathomable” (O’kane). This quote is explaining that laptops are distracting students because they can now get online easily during class.
Laptop computers undeniably play an enormous role in a student’s life today, both in and outside of school. But can they take their notebook computers into exams? Traditionally, exams have always been done on paper, but with sustainability among one of the prevalent issues today, universities have started to explore other methods of student assessment, with the most obvious proposal being digital exams. Depending on the course subject, writing exams on a laptop may increase efficiency or it may create unnecessary problems for both students and their professors. With academic assessment, however, there is significant divergence of opinion regarding the use of electronic examination. According to a study conducted by the University of
Technology comes in all shapes, sizes and models. Thinking back to when the first pieces of technology were created, an evolution has taken place throughout the years. One area technology has made a substantial, positive impact on is the classroom. From being a Kindergartener to a senior in college, technology is handled everyday. Teachers may contemplate whether cell phones are a distraction or not, however, cell phones can become convenient. Typically, most students always have a cell phone with them. At the touch of a button, they have the resource of a portable planner to take advantage of whenever needed. According to Hakan Fleischer who conducted a narrative research review of eighteen different empirical studies on the usage of laptops, found that students had a positive attitude towards
In the beginning, before laptops and tablets were ever invented, paper was used. We would use paper for almost everything, but now that the human race has become more technologically advanced, we now look for new ways to educate people that will be more effective and will motivate students to embrace this change and make the learning experience fun. Evidence has shown that laptops and tablet programs in the computer environment that is created on campus has had a huge positive effect on students (Fried) (2008:904). According to Fitch (2004), laptop usage helps communication between lecturers and students, therefore in class participation is higher, thus increasing active learning and engagement among students. This is done by preparing and posting questions that students can do on their laptops and tablets. A good example of this is Ulink, lecturers post information and activities for students to participate in, whereby when they done can simply print it and submit. A demonstration was done by Barak, Lipson, and Lerman (2006), showing that the usage of Laptops and Tablet devices in a Wi-if classroom enhances active exploratory learning, and promotes a more meaningful interaction between students and lecturers. When compared to non-laptop classrooms to classrooms that do use laptops a report has shown a higher participation rate, higher levels of motivation and students are more interested in learning (Trimmel.,et. al,