device-agnostic-class

5 ways mobile devices have (and haven’t) changed studying


With smartphones, students will study nearly anywhere — including on the toilet

mobile-devices-studyingCollege students now own an average of seven mobile devices, and spend nearly four hours a day interacting with their laptops, tablets, and smart phones. The bandwidth needs can be a headache for IT officials, but many universities continue to encourage their use through Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives.

Is the ubiquitous nature of mobile devices changing the studying habits of students?

Earlier this year, StudyBlue, an online studying platform, surveyed 1,000 students to learn how today’s students study, and how mobile devices factor into their learning.

(Next page: 5 ways mobile devices have–and haven’t–changed study habits)

1. Students are working together, and improving their grades

Or, at least, they think so.

Nearly 90 percent of the respondents said that they believe their grades have improved as the result of using collaborative studying apps on their mobile devices.

2. Students still cram

Nearly 60 percent of students said they put off studying until the last minute, usually forgoing studying until right before a midterm or final. Only 15 percent said they bother to study for smaller quizzes at all.

Another study published last year indicated that mobile devices are making it easier for students to cram for an exam at the last second. Eighty-eight percent of those students said they have used a mobile device to study right before taking a test or quiz.

That’s a 10 percent jump from students who admitted to mobile cramming the previous year.

3. Students still like pen and paper, but move between offline and online with ease

On average, students said they use pen and paper during 43 percent of their studying time. Laptops are still a popular studying device, accounting for 26 percent of studying time.

Smartphones get more use than tablets (14 percent and 12 percent), and some students even enjoy using voice memos.

(Next page: Some of the surprising places students like to study)

4. Students are turning idle (and bathroom) time into study time

A quarter of those surveyed said they now use idle time at work or school to study on their smartphones. That number is even larger when you account for idle time in other locations.

Nearly 20 percent said they use their phones to study while commuting, 13 percent said they study while eating, and 5 percent said they use their phones to study while exercising.

Ten percent of the students admitted to studying on the phone while in the bathroom.

5. Students are no longer getting out of bed to study

Another favorite place to study? In bed.

Whether it’s before or after sleeping, 22 percent of surveyed students said they use their smartphones to study without leaving the comfort of their mattress.

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