article

Perceived academic effects of instant messaging use

Authors:

Shelia R. CottenAuthors Info & Claims

Computers & Education, Volume 56, Issue 2

Pages 370 - 378

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.08.020

Published: 01 February 2011 Publication History

Abstract

College students use information and communication technologies at much higher levels and in different ways than prior generations. They are also more likely to multitask while using information and communication technologies. However, few studies have examined the impacts of multitasking on educational outcomes among students. This study fills a gap in this area by utilizing a large-sample web-based survey of college student technology usage to examine how instant messaging and multitasking affect perceived educational outcomes. Since multitasking can impede the learning process through a form of information overload, we explore possible predictors of academic impairment due to multitasking. Results of this study suggest that college students use instant messaging at high levels, they multitask while using instant messaging, and over half report that instant messaging has had a detrimental effect on their schoolwork. Higher levels of instant messaging and specific types of multitasking activities are associated with students reporting not getting schoolwork done due to instant messaging. We discuss implications of these findings for researchers studying the social impacts of technology and those in higher education administration.

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cover image Computers & Education

Computers & Education Volume 56, Issue 2

February, 2011

223 pages

ISSN:0360-1315

Issue’s Table of Contents

Copyright © Elsevier Ltd © 2010.

Publisher

Elsevier Science Ltd.

United Kingdom

Publication History

Published: 01 February 2011

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Mason LCarretti BRonconi APizzigallo EHaverkamp YBråten I(2025)“Should you really chat while reading?” effects of on-screen multitasking and text disfluency on integrated understandingComputers & Education10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105172224:COnline publication date: 1-Jan-2025
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105172
Hossain EWadley GBerthouze NCox A(2024)Social Media Breaks: An Opportunity for Recovery and ProcrastinationProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36373998:CSCW1(1-46)Online publication date: 26-Apr-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3637399
Lu TZheng HZhang TXu XGuo A(2024)InteractOut: Leveraging Interaction Proxies as Input Manipulation Strategies for Reducing Smartphone OveruseProceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613904.3642317(1-19)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3613904.3642317
Cao XWu YCheng BAli A(2024)An investigation of the social media overload and academic performanceEducation and Information Technologies10.1007/s10639-023-12213-629:8(10303-10328)Online publication date: 1-Jun-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/s10639-023-12213-6
Guerrero-Higueras ÁSánchez-González LConde-González MCastejón-Limas M(2021)Facilitating the learning process in parallel computing by using instant messagingThe Journal of Supercomputing10.1007/s11227-020-03416-677:4(3899-3913)Online publication date: 1-Apr-2021
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Conde MRodríguez-Sedano FRodríguez-Lera FGutiérrez-Fernández AGuerrero-Higueras Á(2021)Assessing the individual acquisition of teamwork competence by exploring students’ instant messaging tools use: the WhatsApp case studyUniversal Access in the Information Society10.1007/s10209-020-00772-120:3(441-450)Online publication date: 1-Aug-2021
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/s10209-020-00772-1
Conde MRodríguez-Sedano FRodríguez Lera FGutiérrez-Fernández AGuerrero-Higueras Á(2021)WhatsApp or Telegram. Which is the Best Instant Messaging Tool for the Interaction in Teamwork?Learning and Collaboration Technologies: New Challenges and Learning Experiences10.1007/978-3-030-77889-7_16(239-249)Online publication date: 24-Jul-2021
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Jamet EGonthier CCojean SColliot TErhel S(2020)Does multitasking in the classroom affect learning outcomes? A naturalistic studyComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2020.106264106:COnline publication date: 1-May-2020
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Guerrero-Higueras ÁSánchez-González LConde MLera FCastejón-Limas MPetkov N(2019)Facilitating the learning process in parallel computing by using instant messagingProceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality10.1145/3362789.3362877(558-563)Online publication date: 16-Oct-2019
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