All first-year students at The Ohio State University,
Columbus, are receiving iPad Pros this fall as part of an initiative between
the institution and Apple to enhance the learning experience. The devices are
welcomed across campus, except for an economics course taught by Trevor Logan.
Logan banned all electronics from his courses during the
spring semester. Instead of complaints, he saw student performance on the midterm
exam improve significantly.
The students even seemed to like the policy, telling Logan
the ban helped them maintain their focus in class and take better notes. They
also said it helped them enjoy the class.
“I thought I would get much more pushback on this from
students, and I didn’t think student outcomes would be so significant,” Logan
wrote in a Twitter thread. “Given these results, I’m very encouraged to
continue with the policy.”
The one concern was the electronics ban might be an issue
for students with learning disabilities who rely on technology. Logan allowed students
to petition for an exception, but no student did during the spring term.
“A
deep understanding of when and how the use of smart devices and other
technologies should be diluted or entirely removed from the learning
environment remains elusive,” John Craven, associate professor of education at
Fordham University, New York, NY, said. “Dr. Logan’s willingness to shed light
on this topic is commendable, particularly given the potential of rebellion
from students who are currently all too often addicted to their smart devices.”
