Digital Distractions: Best Practices
The ubiquity of digital devices poses challenges for even the most charismatic professors and engaging classroom activities. The careful concentration and attention necessary for learning is easily derailed by incoming messages and buzzes from pockets and purses.

Though many studies support the observation that multitasking saps significant learning, experts and practitioners differ on the best classroom policies on digital devices.  


  • Ground Rules: Minds tend to wander after fifteen minutes chunks, so allow students a quick digital fix as you shift between activities or topics. Create a flexible policy that acknowledges both the educational and distraction potential of devices.

  • Consider the learning goals: James Lang notes, “Distraction actually arises from a conflict between two fundamental features of our brain: our ability to create and plan high-level goals versus our ability to control our minds.” The more engaging the learning goals and the more students are motivated to take initiative, the less likely they are to be distracted.