Effects of Technology on Attention Spans and Academic Success within GenZ*
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Mentor/Supervising Professor Name
Garcia, Melissa
Abstract (Description of Research)
This research explores the relationship between technology use, attention spans, and academic performance amongst Generation Z (Gen Z). As digital devices become increasingly integrated into daily life, we want to explore the effects of the potential impact on cognitive functions, such as sustained attention. This research seeks to answer whether or not media and attention span affect Gen Z college students in their academics, and if their specific major plays a role in how much their media usage is. Through a mixed-methods approach, the research obtains self-report surveys and task results from about 70 university students to gather data in the study. There are two self-report surveys that participants completed, one created to collect other measures and participant data, and the other, from online to assess attention span. The tasks that the researchers will administer include an attention span task in which participants completed one computer-based task: the N-back test to assess working memory and attention span.
Effects of Technology on Attention Spans and Academic Success within GenZ*
This research explores the relationship between technology use, attention spans, and academic performance amongst Generation Z (Gen Z). As digital devices become increasingly integrated into daily life, we want to explore the effects of the potential impact on cognitive functions, such as sustained attention. This research seeks to answer whether or not media and attention span affect Gen Z college students in their academics, and if their specific major plays a role in how much their media usage is. Through a mixed-methods approach, the research obtains self-report surveys and task results from about 70 university students to gather data in the study. There are two self-report surveys that participants completed, one created to collect other measures and participant data, and the other, from online to assess attention span. The tasks that the researchers will administer include an attention span task in which participants completed one computer-based task: the N-back test to assess working memory and attention span.