What parents need to know
Off-task laptop use happens frequently in university classrooms and directly harms learning. The more time college students spent on other activities during class, the lower their exam scores – even after accounting for ability. If adults can’t resist distraction, how can we expect children to?
Full Citation
Day, A.J., Fenn, K.M., & Ravizza, S.M. (2021). Is it worth it? The costs and benefits of bringing a laptop to a university class. Computers & Education, 166, 104162.
Publication Type
Peer-reviewed research study published in Computers & Education
What They Studied
Researchers at Michigan State University examined laptop use patterns in actual university classrooms, tracking how much time students spent off-task (on non-class-related activities) and correlating this with their academic performance. The study controlled for academic ability, motivation, and other factors to isolate the specific impact of laptop distraction on learning outcomes.
Key Findings
- “Off-task laptop use occurs frequently in university classrooms and this use negatively impacts learning”
- “We also found a negative correlation between off-task laptop use and exam scores”
- The more time college students spent doing something else on their laptops during class, the lower their exam scores – even after accounting for academic ability
- This negative relationship held true even when controlling for motivation, interest, and intelligence
- The finding is particularly concerning because the subjects were legal adults, presumably more capable of self-regulation than younger students
- If college students – who chose to attend university and selected their courses – cannot resist digital distraction, expecting younger children to do so is unrealistic
- The research demonstrates that having a laptop available in class creates an almost irresistible temptation to multitask
- The academic cost of this multitasking is significant and measurable in lower grades
