Laptops vs Notebooks

Laptops vs. Notebooks
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Laptops vs. Notebooks
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Note-taking has been a common phenomenon in colleges and universities. Indeed, it is believed to boost learning and memory retention. Particularly when dealing with a significant amount of information. Between 1924 and 1925, many students reported that taking notes during lectures or in classrooms was crucial for reviewing the information in a brief amount of time. In 2019, McGill University found out that in a sample of 223 students, 99% of students reported that they take notes during their learning sessions. In addition, 99% admitted that note-taking was an essential task facilitating collegiate success (Palmatier & Bennett, 1974). Researchers started examining the advantages of note-taking in the academic context in 1925. They regarded note-taking as an essential task and that students who take notes during lectures outperformed those who did not. McGill-Hill Education report shows that in 2012, around 28.6% of students used laptops to take notes. However, 71.4% used notebooks. The same report indicates that in 2017, students using notebooks were 37%, and those using laptops were 63%. Note-taking is a fundamental skill for studying used by many students. However, one study by Mortimore and Crozier showed that about 20% of learners identified this task as challenging (Mortimore & Crozier, 2006). Numerous students take notes to help them revise critical concepts and master their academic and real-life applications.
Technological advancement has significantly changed the way students take notes during their lectures or classrooms. In a survey conducted by Miami University involving 1,415 students, more than 50% reported that they bring their electronic devices, such as laptops, to class at least once per week (Zhu, Kaplan, Dershimer, & Bergom, 2011). With digital technologies, writing and reading competencies have rapidly changed. However, most learners find it effective to use a pen and paper to record crucial concepts learned in their classrooms. Many students have become flexible in the manner and styles of note-taking and use a laptop or notebook in class.
Additionally, the rise of mobile learning has significantly facilitated efficient digital note-taking practices (Gruber, 2021). Some students admitted that using computers makes them more engaged with coursework. The most significant thing about using a laptop in taking notes is that learners can record essential points faster than when writing. Besides, if they do not comprehend some concepts, it becomes easy for them to search on the Internet and get the descriptions that enhance their understanding. Nevertheless, regardless of whether learners take notes using a pen and paper or digital technologies, those who engage in this activity improve their academic performance since they understand numerous concepts.
Digital gadgets, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, have become ubiquitous in society and across colleges and universities. Nowadays, many students bring their electronic devices to class (Harvard University, 2021). Faculties perceive this trend as a significant opportunity to foster innovative teaching. In that light, they are trying to explore distinctive ways to leverage the technology and increase students’ engagement in class (Zhu, Kaplan, Dershimer, & Bergom, 2011). The primary advantage of the increased use of technological devices in class is that they facilitate proper understanding of various concepts and note-taking. In reality, some studies assert that students are more engaged in class when using computers than when using in-class handwritten handouts. The best thing about electronic devices is that they allow students to explore various styles of taking notes. For example, some might prefer to type using laptops. However, others might use a tablet that enables them to develop colorful, graphic, or even cartoonish characters that maximize their appeal to understanding various concepts (Reynolds & Tackie, 2020). Learners can also use software that enables them to classify information to comprehend it better. For instance, they can bold the key points discussed in a lecture, provide supporting details, anecdotes, and case studies. Consequently, note-taking using electronic devices fosters an understanding of various concepts and creates fun learning.
Despite using electronic devices being beneficial to numerous students, many professors say that using computers and the Internet can distract learners and detract them from learning, full participation in-class activities, and discussions (Morehead, Dunlosky, Rawson, & Blasiman, 2019). In particular, digital distraction disrupts the quality of learning in class, and laptop users are the ones affected the most. These disruptions make students use laptops to take notes and make incomplete records, making them difficult to understand when revising. For instance, about 92% of college students reported that they receive message notifications on their phones during their lectures. When using laptops, learners engage in multitasking behavior unrelated to the course taught in class. Approximately 42% open apps unrelated to the topic they are studying (Kraushaar & Novak, 2010). Researchers concluded an inverse relationship between students’ academic performance and productive multitasking. In a study involving 177 higher education students, more than 70% admitted that laptops were significant in their academic success (Kay & Lauricella, 2011). However, half of the learners said they are distracted by laptops or when they see their colleagues using these devices.
In some cases, students who used their laptops when a lecture was ongoing were found to remember less content than those who closed their laptops. Multitasking is the primary thing that causes distractions among students who use laptops in class. As a result, laptops interfere with...