Are traditional (non-digital) classrooms a problem in higher education? A study about how the presence (not use) of computers impacts on students

Resumen

During the last years, governments and education institutions have invested a lot of money on digitalization. However, in Higher Education institutions and facilities, there are still some spaces in their traditional configuration (without digital media). Students must, then, work in both room types. Nevertheless, informal observations show there are important differences depending on the selected room. Even if electronic devices are totally turned off. These observations, however, may be affected for other secondary exogenous variables, and scientific studies are required to evaluate this. Therefore, during the second term of the year 2017/18 in the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, a pilot experience and scientific experiment focused on discovering and studying this effect. As main variable was selected the presence (not use) of computers in the room, keeping all other configurations and rooms' facilities in the same way as usual. Results confirmed the performed informal observations. Students' motivation goes down when no computers are installed in the room.