We live in an increasingly digital age and in a nation that has whole-heartedly embraced the electronic landscape. Canada is known worldwide as an innovator when it comes to technology and the Internet - after all, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority said that 8 in 10 of us go online regularly, placing us in one of the top spots across the globe for penetration rates.

As such, a lot of people, no matter their age, are using the Internet for everything from TV watching to communicating with friends and family. So it makes sense that as more youngsters become comfortable with going online, some schools are starting to incorporate computer technology in the classroom.

That being said, a study published earlier in 2013 in the journal Computers and Education revealed that in some academic settings, this could have adverse effects. So what do parents, teachers and students need to know before they fire up laptops in the classroom?

Laptops in college classes might not contribute to learning
According to the study, when college-aged students use laptops to take notes in lecture halls and multitask while doing so, they tend to retain less information that if they were taking notes using a pencil and paper, The Canadian Press reported. The researchers gave students quizzes, and those who were multitasking on laptops scored 11 per cent lower than people with pencils and paper. Moreover, students manually writing out notes but distracted because they sat near others with computers did 17 per cent worse.

The news source suggested that a lot of the problem emerges when students aren't paying attention to their professors, instead choosing to go on social media sites, play games and take other unrelated actions. That is not to say that it's not often easier to take notes on the computer or that they can't be great academic aids. Perhaps the best option is for teachers and parents to go over best practices regarding in-class laptop use before allowing pupils to boot up their devices.

The Internet is still necessary 
Even if schools, students and parents determine that computers and the Internet shouldn't be used when youngsters are in the classroom, it's undeniable that these are necessary elements for academic success. A number of teachers require that students use the Internet on their own time to research various topics and employ computers to type up papers.

So, even if their children's classrooms aren't Wi-Fi equipped, Canadian parents should look into how to get the best Internet connection in their homes to make completing work easier. Mom and dad can benefit from competitive prices, a clear connection and great customer service, especially if they use a more laid back indie Internet service provider (ISP).

At the kickoff of the school year, parents of older kids might want to make sure their college-aged students' apartments are well-equipped with the Internet. This is almost a non-negotiable element to success at the university{ level at this point - without an Internet connection, it seems practically impossible to get college coursework done now.