Desktop Computer vs. Mobile: Which device is better for quality education?. Let’s say you have a few hundred words of text you want your students to read. It’s important to consider if students will be reading the text on paper or on a computer screen, as research suggests that students perform worse on screen-based reading tests compared to paper ones.
Additionally, reading on a screen is more difficult than reading on paper as we tend to scan and skim more when looking at a screen.
When it comes to different screen types, there is also a difference in how well students can read and comprehend text depending on if they are using a tablet, smartphone, or laptop screen. So, if you want your students to get the most out of the text they are reading, it’s best to provide them with a paper copy.
Oulasvirta et. al. did a 2012 study that tracked how people used their smartphones and laptops. In this study, the subjects spent twice as long per day using their smartphones than their laptops.
Even though they used their phones more than laptops, the subjects did it in shorter bursts that spread evenly throughout the day. This type of phone usage is called a “checking habit”.
A larger study compared online usage across different devices. The results showed that people use their laptops for longer internet sessions than they do on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
Another research focuses on people’s emotional attachment to their phones. A recent study found that mobile phones can be used as a ‘pacifying technology’. When they feel stressed, people reach for their phones. Even if they are using the same content, it reduces stress more than using their laptop.
Another study found that students performed worse when their phones were visible – even if they were turned off. Another study found that people who are asked to put their phones away are less likely to trust the person they are talking to.
Although research has shown that all connected devices have the potential for being distracting, laptops seem to be the best option for students. They are used more intentionally, for specific purposes, than mobiles. They are also more suitable for content creation than content consumption.
Research on connected devices has shown that all of them have the potential for distraction and multitasking which can be detrimental to learning. Laptops seem to be the best option because they are used more intentionally, for specific purposes, than mobiles. They are also more suitable for content creation than content consumption.
Because this area of research is still in development and changing, there are more people and institutions adapting devices to better meet their goals.
As this area of research is still in development and change, more and more people and institutions are adapting devices to better meet their goals. This ongoing trend shows that there is a lot of potential for growth in this field.
This research is covered in Chapter 5 of Teachers vs Tech. I have probably made the most changes to my views on this topic over the years. I used to believe that content was the most important thing, and that the medium, whether it was a book, computer, or phone, was only a conduit. While quality content is still important to me, I now realize it is more difficult than I thought to separate it from the medium.
You can be less engaged with content if you make small adjustments to how a device works. Chapter 5 of Teachers vs Tech discusses the importance of content in learning. The author argues that quality content is essential, but it is also difficult to separate from the medium. You can be less engaged with content if you make small adjustments to how a device works.
The research I’m discussing in Chapter 5 of Teachers vs Tech has undergone the most changes of any topic I’ve written about over the years. I used to believe that the content itself was the most important factor, and that the medium through which it was delivered – whether it be a book, computer, or phone – was simply a conduit.
Quality content is still important to me, but I now realize it’s more difficult than I originally thought to divorce it from the medium. You can be less engaged with content if you make small adjustments to how a device works.
While the main focus of schools is to make sure that students have access to and are using their connected devices to stay in touch with their education, it’s important to also consider how to optimize them for learning. This way, students can get the most out of their devices and use them to their full potential.
There are a few simple ways to optimize devices for learning, such as making sure that they are charged and ready to go for classes, storing them in a safe place, and using them for educational purposes only. By taking these simple steps, students can make sure that their devices are ready to help them learn and succeed in school.
While the main focus of having students use devices in school is to make sure they have a way to stay connected, it’s important to consider how to optimize them for learning as well. This way, students can not only stay connected, but also get the most out of their education.
