Ubiquitous laptop use in higher education: Multitasking and students’ perception of distraction in a European setting

Authors

  • Manuel Goyanes Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
  • Daniel Catalán-Matamoros Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v22i10.7268

Keywords:

multitasking, academic success, social networking, laptop use, distraction

Abstract

The present study was conducted in a European setting to examine what undergraduate students do on their laptops during a traditional class and to what extent laptop usage behaviors are associated with academic success, along with social networking use and laptop use as distractions. Based on a survey of 200 Spanish graduate students from a public university, the study led to four conclusions: 1) the most prevalent laptop use during class time was for academic purposes; 2) the perception of computer use during class time as a distraction was a significant and positive predictor of academic performance; 3) all predictor variables of laptop use behavior during class time were statistically significant and were positive predictors of social networking use except for searching for complementary information; and 4) in addition to academic performance, all laptop use behavior variables were statistically significant and positive predictors of laptop as a distraction tool, except for taking notes. Theoretical, academic and implications for practice are discussed.

Author Biographies

Manuel Goyanes, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Assistant Professor of Media Management,

Daniel Catalán-Matamoros, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Assistant Professor of Science Communication

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Published

2017-10-01

How to Cite

Goyanes, M., & Catalán-Matamoros, D. (2017). Ubiquitous laptop use in higher education: Multitasking and students’ perception of distraction in a European setting. First Monday, 22(10). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v22i10.7268