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Off-Task Media Use in Lectures: Towards a Theory of Determinants

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
ICT Education (SACLA 2018)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 963))

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Abstract

A growing body of evidence indicates that university students frequently engage in off-task media use (OTMU) during lectures. While the bulk of research in this area has considered the frequency and impact of such behaviour, little work concerning the subjective and contextual factors that determine OTMU in academic settings has been conducted. In this study we adopt a qualitative approach to consider the determinants of this behaviour. Seven key factors that determine students’ OTMU in lectures are identified: OTMU policy, OTMU norms, Fear of missing out, Grit, Control over technology, Quality of lecture, and Visibility of peers’ OTMU. We propose a model which specifies the relationships between these factors and discuss how institutions and lecturers can navigate the challenges posed by OTMU in lectures.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The university is currently ranked among the top 400 on the 2017/2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

  2. 2.

    Our use of the term ‘academic setting’ is inclusive of formal lecture environments, practical or tutorial classes, group work settings or personal study sessions.

  3. 3.

    Reaching over 3000 students, from first to third year in three faculties.

  4. 4.

    Ethical clearance for the study was granted by the institution’s research ethics board. Prior to the commencement of the focus groups each participant provided informed consent, in full knowledge of the study procedures, the voluntary nature of their participation, data protection measures, and reporting confidentiality.

  5. 5.

    Note, for instance, the newest legislation on this matter in France, 2018.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Information Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Douglas A. Parry & Daniel B. le Roux

Authors
  1. Douglas A. Parry
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  2. Daniel B. le Roux
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Correspondence to Douglas A. Parry .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Information Systems, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Salah Kabanda

  2. Computer Science, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa

    Hussein Suleman

  3. University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Stefan Gruner

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Parry, D.A., le Roux, D.B. (2019). Off-Task Media Use in Lectures: Towards a Theory of Determinants. In: Kabanda, S., Suleman, H., Gruner, S. (eds) ICT Education. SACLA 2018. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 963. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05813-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05813-5_4

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