Draft:Digital distractions

Digital distractions refer to the distractive qualities of technology used in education. With the rising relevance of digitalization in education and higher education, students using technological devices such as computers and smartphones has become the norm. More and more educational institutions and teachers rely on the use of internet and technology in their teaching. And while digitalization of education brings many positives, one major disadvantage is the digital distractions associated with the normalization of using technology in education.

The integration of electronic devices brings numerous educational benefits into the classroom setting. Students may opt to type their lecture notes on a laptop, utilize search engines on their mobile phones to access course-related information, or engage in Kahoot!™ review sessions. In these scenarios, electronic mobile devices serve as valuable tools to enhance student learning within the classroom environment.

However, research shows the dark side of digitalization of the classroom. Students who were taking notes by hand rather than typing on a computer performed better on tests, because while their peers who took notes on a computer were able to take notes faster, writing by hand required a more selective engagement and resulted in a more effective recall. Online content and browsing the internet for course-related material can also be disruptive for students, who can experience difficulties balancing the usage of online tools and simultaneously following the lecture.

The misuse of computers and mobile phones in the classroom to check social media and surf the internet is also a major concern, because it interferes with the students´ ability to learn and focus. Digital distractions occurring on laptops can also negatively influence students sitting nearby.