Photo taken by Jeff James on Unsplash.
Teachers shouldn’t expect all eyes on them just because they’ve taken technology out of the picture. I will not sit here and pretend technology is not one of the main causes of distraction, but it certainly isn’t the only cause, either. Yet, multiple teachers, like John Warner once did, install a technology ban policy in their classroom with this mindset that it will prevent the majority of distractions.
There’s so much that can distract a student, whether or not a teacher allows them to use their devices. Sleep deprivation can damage a student’s ability to retain information; there might be something weird in the corner of the classroom absorbing a student’s attention; maybe the lecture is just so brain-numbingly boring a student can’t help but begin to daydream a more interesting scenario to be in.
The list goes on, especially when considering personal or health factors. Migraines have debilitated some of the people I know, making it impossible for them to not be “distracted” in the moment. No more than a week ago, I was also struggling to pay attention during a class and respond to the professor because of unusually painful period cramps, despite taking a painkiller.
Let’s not forget, either, that sometimes using technology during a class can counteract distractions, as long as it’s used properly. In the study “The Effects of Chronic Multitasking on Analytical Writing” that was conducted by Lottridge et al., they found that certain peoples’ writing improved when they were “distracted” by, or multitasking, reading articles related to their paper while writing it. Similarly, if a student can focus better while writing if they have LoFi Girl playing in the background, who’s to say that constant stimuli from their device wouldn’t be useful for focusing during a lecture as well?
Pulling from my own experience, I can’t sit still and listen to people talk to me non-stop, like many teachers do during lectures. This applies to even when I watch shows—particularly ones in English—and is a big reason why I can’t stand watching them. If I do, I need to turn on subtitles so I have some way of “engaging” with the show. Otherwise, I zone out or pull out my phone to find something to read as the show plays in the background; the subtitles help me focus. And my subtitle-equivalent to staying attentive in long lectures is doodling.
But for some students, it’s having their technology out that increases their concentration. So, really, banning technology doesn’t magically hocus pocus distractions into non-existence. Teachers should find better ways to keep the attention of their students and a good place to start is to let their students use what helps them focus—even if that entails technology.
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