Smartphones in the Classroom as Impediments to Student Learning

Abstract

The author examined the literature regarding college students' use of smartphones during class time. Findings included the following: Students believe they are capable of multitasking with smartphones, but they are not and earn lower grades as a result; students misperceive that their peers use smartphones during class time more than they do to text other students, surf the Web, and visit social sites; and professors' policies regarding cellphone use vary greatly, but they agree that campus-wide policies regarding smartphone use would enhance learning. Gaps in the literature are identified and areas for future research proposed.

Keywords: college students, smartphones, learning