Students increasingly use laptops in the college classroom. Despite their apparent potential to aid learning and facilitate quick note taking, laptops also invite multitasking and “cyber-slacking” behaviors such as browsing social media, checking emails and texts, playing games, and watching videos. Mounting evidence suggests that multitasking during a lecture distracts students and leads to worse learning outcomes both for themselves and for their neighbors. Bridgette Martin Hard, PhD, Associate Professor of the Practice, Psychology and Neuroscience, will present evidence from two situation modification interventions aimed at reducing students’ multitasking in class, as well as evidence of the effects of course policies to go “tech-free.” A BRITE Lab and Duke Learning Innovation collaborative event.

Please feel free to bring your lunch. Light refreshments will be provided.