There ’s mass of scientific evidence that writing by hired man has benefits over using a data processor to take notes . It has beenshown to improveyour ability to remember young entropy , for case . However , a unexampled bailiwick is one of the first to show farseeing - condition , real - globe drawbacks to using a laptop in class , asThe Washington Postreports .
In a study involve 726 students at West Point [ PDF ] , scholar in randomly selected intro economics classes were banned from using computers during lectures , while others were allowed to apply only tablets ( placed categoric so that professors could see them ) , and still others had no limitation on technology exercise . The researchers found that the average final examination scores of pupil in schoolroom that allowed computers were 18 percent lower than classrooms where technology was n’t allow . Though less than one-half of the scholarly person who were allowed to specifically use tablet actually did so at some point in the semester , that group ’s scores were equally as low as those of the unchained technology group .
amazingly , the investigator found that technology was particularly damaging to students who get the course with high grade spot norm . They write that “ a educatee in a schoolroom that prohibits computers is on adequate footing with her compeer who is in a schoolroom that allows computers but has a [ in high spirits ] GPA ” by .17 points .
Though any pupil can find a way of life to tune up out during a lecture , West Point student are probably less potential than pupil at typical college to be surf their inboxes during class , since classes are little and prof - student fundamental interaction is a self-aggrandising part of the curriculum . This indicate that either students on reckoner are less efficient learners , or , perhaps teachers change their behavior when faced with rows of laptops . Either style , you ’re better off being in an old - school classroom .
[ h / tThe Washington Post ]
