Using laptops in the classroom affects student attention and academic performance
Is it true that using laptops in the classroom affects student attention and academic performance?
Yes. Evidence consistently shows that using laptops and other digital devices in the classroom can cause distraction and divided attention, which negatively impacts student learning, cognitive processing, and academic performance.
Verdict: SUPPORTED · 3 sources for, 0 against · Last checked
The retrieved papers include strong empirical studies (such as Sana et al., 2018, and Akçayır et al., 2017) demonstrating that using laptops or mobile devices for non-academic multitasking or digital distraction during lectures impairs student attention and exam performance. No papers refute this claim.
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Glass, A. & Kang, M. (2018). Dividing attention in the classroom reduces exam performance. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2018.1489046
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Demirbilek, M. & Talan, T. (2017). The effect of social media multitasking on classroom performance. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469787417721382
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A, A., RJ, S., TAM, O., RM, E., IA, W., WSEA, A., AO, A., AA, A., A, A., S, R., N, S., A, A., W, B. I., H, H., M, K., F, H., & A, N. (2025). Exploring the impact of note taking methods on cognitive function among university students.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07593-x
- Is it true that classroom design affects student learning and academic performance? SUPPORTED
- Is it true that mobile device usage in classrooms decreases student attention and test performance? SUPPORTED
- Is it true that being bullied lowers students' academic performance? PARTIAL LEAN
- Is it true that listening to classical music while studying improves students' academic performance? CONTESTED PARTIAL
- Is it true that a degraded laptop battery reduces laptop performance? PARTIAL LEAN
- Is it true that working full-time while studying negatively affects academic performance? PARTIAL LEAN
What does the evidence say?
The retrieved papers include strong empirical studies (such as Sana et al., 2018, and Akçayır et al., 2017) demonstrating that using laptops or mobile devices for non-academic multitasking or digital distraction during lectures impairs student attention and exam performance. No papers refute this claim.
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