Digital Devices, Distraction, and Student Performance: Does In-Class Cell Phone Use Reduce Learning?

Abstract

The recent increase in use of digital devices such as laptop computers, iPads and webenabled cell phones has generated concern about how technologies affect student performance. Combining observation, survey, and interview data, this research assesses the effects of technology use on student attitudes and learning. Data were gathered in eight introductory science courses at a major university. Results show a significant negative correlation between in-class phone use and final grades, with use of cell phones corresponding to a drop of 0.36 ± 0.08 on a 4-point scale where 4.0 = A. These findings are consistent with research (Ophir, Nass, & Wagner 2009) suggesting students cannot multitask nearly as effectively as they think they can. While 75% of students reported regular cell phone use, observation suggests undergraduates typically under-report the frequency of their in-class use of digital devices.