Impact of Electronic Device Use in Class on Pharmacy Students’ Academic Performance

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate and assess the impact of pharmacy students' electronic device (e-device) use during a lecture-based pharmacotherapeutics sequence. Methods. A validated survey instrument to assess e-device use was e-mailed to 238 second-(P2) and third-year (P3) pharmacy students. Grades were reviewed retrospectively and correlated with e-device use to determine its impact on academic performance. Results. Of 140 responding students (59% response rate), 106 reported using e-devices during class for course-related (91.5%) and non-course-related (81.1%) activities. When P2 and P3 students were combined, e-device use was not associated with academic performance (p 5 0.70). Academic performance was not impacted among P3 students (p 5 0.86), but P2 students performed better academically if they refrained from using e-devices during class (mean grade 5 88.5% vs. 83.3%; p50.019).Conclusions. The impact of e-device use on overall academic performance was negligible. Use of e-devices by students enrolled in their first pharmacotherapeutics course may negatively impact academics.

Uso de dispositivos móviles en las aulas de la universidad y rendimiento académico: revisión de la literatura y nueva evidencia en España

“…32; 3,6 (WOS-JCR) Prescott et al (2012) 140 estudiantes de un curso de Farmacoterapéutica de segundo (P2) y tercer año (P3) que pueden usar dispositivos móviles en clase (universidad de EE. UU.…”

Considerations When Incorporating Technology Into Classroom and Experiential Teaching

“…During the past 2 decades increasing evidence has accumulated showing the positive impact on technology in education provided at both the classroom and advanced practice experience levels. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] In response to the increasing positive evidence supporting the use of technology in pharmacy education, the college of pharmacy accrediting body, the American Council for Pharmacy Education, and the Center for Advancement of Pharmacy Education have promoted the increased use of technology to enhance the development of student skills and engagement. 1,2,4 Many schools have adapted their curriculum to incorporate technology.…”

Combining Chalk Talk with PowerPoint to Increase In-class Student Engagement

“…To include variety in the teaching modality, PowerPoint slides were used in conjunction with a drawing workbook to deliver the same content in two ways. Based on the ongoing debate on the benefits and harms of student access to portable electronic devices in the classroom, 23 and also to eliminate an additional task for students to focus on, students were asked to leave their university-issued laptops behind for this session. This resulted in some initial degree of resistance and apprehension amongst students (reported anecdotally).…”