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Classroom laptops too distracting: watchdog
Study finds portable computers hinder learning in the classroom; Yk1 official says it isn't a big deal

Candace Thomson
Northern News Services
Published Friday, August 23, 2013

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Last week, Katie Randall, a youth and adult services director for the NWT Literacy Council, tweeted a study that highlighted the downside of laptops in the classroom.

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A study released by medical study publisher Elsevier says the use of laptops in the classroom hinders learning for users, and those sitting around them. Educators say better classroom management is the solution. - Candace Thomson/NNSL photo illustration

The study, released by Dutch medical study publisher Elsevier in late 2012, reported on three case studies that showed having laptop computers in the classroom hinders users' learning, as well as learning of students sitting near them.

"There is a really strong opinion that bringing technology into a classroom is beneficial to students," Randall said. "But it's easier with devices in the classroom to be multitasking and playing games."

She runs a digital literacy workshop with the literacy council where youth learn how to tell stories through writing, video and sound. Randall said she often finds her students are distracted by games and distracting others.

"I know if I have 15 kids, it's impossible to help one of them and not turn around to find two, at least, on games," she said. "Once one kid's playing, they're all interested in the game and not the workshop."

As her workshop is less regimental than in the classroom and not based on curriculum, Randall said she sympathizes with teachers who have to monitor students using laptops to ensure they're not spending their time playing Solitaire instead of learning.

"It's a huge classroom management issue," she said.

The study, written by two researchers from York University in Toronto, and one from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., and published in Computers and Education Journal, found that students' comprehension of class material was "impaired when they performed multiple tasks during learning, one being the primary task of attending to the lecture material ... and the other being the secondary task of completing unrelated online tasks."

Comprehension was also impaired for participants who sat in view of their peers who were multitasking, the study found.

"This finding suggests that despite actively trying to learn the material, these participants were placed at a disadvantage by the choices of their peers," researchers reported, adding a lack of focus during class caused these students to have lower scores than those who were not distracted.

Bernie Giacobbo, assistant superintendent of learning for the Yellowknife Education District No. 1, said he doesn't think it's as big a deal as the study portrays.

"It's about keeping students engaged and on task. You're monitoring (students) the best you can," he said.

Teachers have to prepare students for a society that depends heavily on technology, Giacobbo said, adding that while the tools in the classroom have changed, handling the situation comes down to good teaching and classroom management.

Both Randall and Giacobbo agree that teachers need to make sure students are focused on their schoolwork when using laptops and not goofing off playing computer games or on social media websites.

Yk1 has no district regulations that restrict the use of laptops or smartphones in class, and Giacobbo said in most cases the use of devices is encouraged.

"It depends on the teacher," he said. "We have some teachers who, if a student misses a class, will let them download the lesson plan onto their smartphone."

At Sir John Franklin High School last June, Giacobbo said there was a spike on the wireless network which showed 300 devices being used. The school has 700 students.

"We've added more access points so the students can use their devices," he said, meaning more wireless networks have been added within the school.

"Everyone has a smartphone now. It gives a greater opportunity to access information. It used to be the teacher was the bearer of all knowledge but the prof doesn't know it all, and now (students) have the ability to look things up. It's about educating students on how to use technology properly."

Randall suggested one way for schools to minimize the problem would be to allow only educational games on school-supplied devices so even while they are playing games, they're still learning.

"Students today are going to use technology in their everyday life for the rest of their lives," said Randall.

"Teaching them how to use it appropriately in different situations is now a big part of literacy."

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