Media multitasking predicts video-recorded lecture learning performance through mind wandering tendencies

Media multitasking behaviors are on the rise globally. This phenomenon extends to academic settings, and has implications for education that is predicated on computer-assisted technology, which may be a source of distractibility for, especially, heavy media multitaskers. We hypothesized that habitual media multitasking correlates negatively with video-recorded lecture learning performance, with mind wandering mediating this association. Eighty-one participants from the National University of Singapore first completed a media multitasking survey (Loh & Kanai, 2014; Ophir et al., 2009). They then studied Coursera video-recorded lectures, during which their mind wandering tendencies were assessed using direct probes. Finally, participants attempted a test relating to what they have studied. Four regression models were built to analyse the data, and revealed evidence that supported the present hypothesis, even after we controlled for phenomenological variables relating to learning (i.e., anxiety, mental fatigue, and prior subject knowledge). Implications and future directions are discussed.