Limiting Student Personal Computer Device Distractions in a 1-to-1 Classroom Environment.

摘要

Digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers, are a part of the daily lives of students. A 1-to-1 environment is where students have digital devices to use in a specific class, or throughout their school day, for academic purposes. 1-to-1 environments can help transform the way students experience education, but digital devices also provide new opportunities for students to be distracted in the classroom by social media, games, and the Internet. Some students believe that such distractions do not affect their learning or productivity, because they are skilled at multitasking. This dissertation explores methods through which to help students learn how to limit the temptation of distractions when using their devices for productive purposes, so that they may have more productive and successful academic, personal, and professional lives.;In this study, quantitative and qualitative information are presented regarding student classroom time spent off task, what students most liked to use their device for during class, and student mindset toward their device as either an entertainment tool or a productivity tool. The study also examines if gender plays a part in distractibility, and what activities are most likely to keep students on task or encourage them to be off task.;Students revealed that time off task increased over the course of the intervention, but also noted that the digital distraction and multitasking articles and activities, and the use of visual and auditory cues, worked to begin changing their mindset toward, and/or use of their digital devices both in school and at home. These results did not show any difference in effects between genders. Though students did reveal that interactive and high-energy activities were effective at keeping them on task, many students also indicated that activities they felt were important to their success, including notes, were effective at keeping many students on task.