Presenter Information

Elena Larrabee
Hannah Williams

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC Ballroom B/C/D

Start Date

21-5-2015

End Date

21-5-2015

Keywords

Electronic Devices, Classroom, Driving

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine Central Washington University students’ use of electronic devices for non-class related purposes and while driving. For the purposes of the study, electronic devices are defined as cellphones, tablets, laptops, and any other devices that are non-essential to the classroom environment, and non-classroom purposes are defined as any non-course specific activities performed on an electronic device during lecture. The survey has two parts, the first focusing on electronic device usage in the classroom, and the second focusing on electronic device usage while operating a vehicle. The survey is administered online, and focuses on students over the age of eighteen. Psychology students represent the largest demographic, but the survey also draws from numerous other departments. Preliminary results are similar to those of studies regarding electronic device usage conducted at other universities, and indicate that the use of electronic devices is prominent in Central Washington University classrooms. These findings highlight how important it is for professors to understand students’ perceptions toward the use of electronic devices in the classroom for non-class related purposes.

Poster Number

47

Faculty Mentor(s)

Ralf Greenwald

Department/Program

Psychology

Additional Mentoring Department

Psychology

Included in

Psychology Commons

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May 21st, 2:30 PM May 21st, 5:00 PM

Student Usage and Perceptions of Digital Devices in the Classroom and While Driving

SURC Ballroom B/C/D

The purpose of this study is to examine Central Washington University students’ use of electronic devices for non-class related purposes and while driving. For the purposes of the study, electronic devices are defined as cellphones, tablets, laptops, and any other devices that are non-essential to the classroom environment, and non-classroom purposes are defined as any non-course specific activities performed on an electronic device during lecture. The survey has two parts, the first focusing on electronic device usage in the classroom, and the second focusing on electronic device usage while operating a vehicle. The survey is administered online, and focuses on students over the age of eighteen. Psychology students represent the largest demographic, but the survey also draws from numerous other departments. Preliminary results are similar to those of studies regarding electronic device usage conducted at other universities, and indicate that the use of electronic devices is prominent in Central Washington University classrooms. These findings highlight how important it is for professors to understand students’ perceptions toward the use of electronic devices in the classroom for non-class related purposes.