A Survey of College Students’ Paperless and Paper-Based Learning

Abstract

Most educators consider note-taking to be an important part of formal classroom learning. Advances in technology such as tablets, mobile apps, and recorded lectures are changing the dynamics of the classroom and impacting the way students write and review class notes. These tools may improve students' ability to take notes, but they may also hinder learning. In an era of dynamic technological developments, educators must regularly examine and evaluate the impact on formal and informal learning environments. This paper discusses key background literature on student learning styles, identifies recent trends and potential impacts of mobile technology in classroom note-taking and student learning, predicts the future direction of note-taking in the context of digital lifelong learning, and contrasts it with traditional paper-based learning to help college students find the best fit for their learning mode in the biochemistry of learning.