Implications of New Media: Effects of Digital Devices for Student Performance

• In Event: 487 - Section on Teaching and Learning Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on Teaching and Learning Roundtables. Table 01. Teaching in an Online World

Abstract

A recent increase in contemporary students’ use of digital devices (e.g., laptops, iPads, smart phones) has generated concern by faculty and staff about how technologies may affect student performance. A multi-year project by an interdisciplinary research team at a large public university, this study presents the first quantitative evidence of how students’ in-class use of digital devices affects learning outcomes. Specifically, this work focuses on the nexus between technologies designed to engage (e.g., clickers) and others that can result in disengagement (e.g., cell phones). Should we be asking students to turn off their cell phones in class?

Authors

• Angel Rebecca Hoekstra, University of Colorado-Boulder

• Doug Duncan, University of Colorado-Boulder

• Bethnay R Wilcox, University of Colorado-Boulder