Classroom Distractions

Technology has been slowly integrated into the classroom for many years now. Some maybe older than others, but they have all seemed to make the learning and teaching process much easier and effective. Computers were introduced to the curriculum to help students better understand data collection, research, and word processing and Power Points were even added to give visuals to lessons. Cell phones on the other hand have been given the cold shoulder, and even completely banned by some schools. According to the article, “Are We Dialing Up Disaster,” by George Engel and Tim Green, eighty-four percent of high school students report to owning a cell phone and that number continues to increase (Engel 39). Because students are distracted

Cell phones are distracting in school and disrupt learning. Students should always be giving their teacher their undivided attention. Cell phones in school create problems and they affect students’ grades. Although some may claim these reasons to be true, they are undeniably wrong. The proponents of cell phones should not be allowed in school argue, “We know for a fact that the use of cell phones on school property around the country has led to a number of problems around safety.” This is wrong because cell phone use on school grounds is only beneficial to individuals on and off school property. Cell phones do not necessarily prevent problems, but they do help in times of emergencies. They promote safety in situations such as school shootings or hostage situations. The proponents of cell phones should not be allowed in school also argue “Student’s whose minds wander during a lecture or discussion may find the temptation of texting instead of listening hard to resist.” While this is true, it is up to the student to pay attention. However, texting instead of listening is the same as doodling and not listening, or playing on a school issued laptop even after being told to put it away. It is up to the student to restrain from texting in class. The more schools put an emphasis on no phones in school the more

The distraction caused by cell phones are different in every classroom, it is the teacher 's job to regulate the cell phone usage to maximize the amount of learning that takes place. This article relates to the opposing side of the argument. The article provides a real-life example and informs the reader in a different method about how cell phones do not belong in schools.

Scaccia states, “One reason students fail is because of distractions in the classroom, specifically the cell phone.” The author is implying that students are using cell phones in class and its taking away from their learning. From my experiences in high school, teachers would stop in the middle of a statement to ask students repeatedly to put their phones away. As a result, teachers would lose track of what they were explaining. A student and teacher moving at the same pace through a lesson is the best way for a student to take proper notes, ask questions, and understand the information giving. Having to stop over and over throws the class flow off balance. Teachers can become frustrated because classes run on a schedule and they may lose out on time. I wasn’t someone that used my cell phone in class, so it was very frustrating and hard to stay focused when my train of thought was interrupted by those on their phone. When the teacher would suddenly stop to address the student using the cellphone, the entire class is now focused on that student. This would happen several times in a 45 minute class period. When it came time to complete my homework, my notes were incomplete and I couldn’t recall key points. I agree that cell phones are huge distraction, but I don’t think banning them all together is the right thing to do.

If we remove technology from schools, we would see students paying more attention to the teachers and better grades due to a lack of distraction. It is bad, yet it is also very good. In one part of the class, kids will be playing games on their Surfaces or doing stuff on their phones. Therefore, smartphones, texting, video games, iPads, Facebook, Web surfing and television do get me distracted and interrupt my learning. The rest of the class will usually be doing the work they’re supposed to do. But in reality, technology, whether it be a text, assignment, or game can be very distracting and attention-span

losing focus on school work. Not only are the phones a distraction, but it can be used to cheat

interruptions, with an average of 10 in the class per day. The disruptions habitually consist of talking during instruction and students disturbing others from learning.

To begin with, students do not pay attention in class because they are distracted by technology. Study shows students’ constant use of technology is hampering their attention span. This proves students are not getting the education needed. Students don’t learn enough during their classes which causes them to fail their classes. Also, technology can cause

Many people believe that bringing cell phones to school may cause distractions. However, a recent study leads more and more people to believe that mobile phones could in fact be a “powerful learning tool” (Docksai), serving as a mobile computer ("Cell Phones in the Classroom” ). Elizabeth Hartnell- Young, a research fellow from the University of Nottingham tracked 331 students from 14 to 16 years old, for learning through cell phones. They used cell phones to make short videos, set homework reminders, record poems, and transfer files from home to school (Docksai). Students described their learning experience as “motivated” (Docksai). Many experts pointed out that students have a “deep comfort level” with mobile phones (Docksai). In other words, students could learn more if they enjoyed what they were doing. An increasing number of teachers have changed their point of view towards cell phones, many now believe that cell phones would exert positive effects on education. For example, some teachers have already started to collect homework online and answer questions through text- messaging. A school in Saskatchewan encouraged students to read and share thoughts about books through their cell phones (Docksai). Furthermore, according to a recent survey, the majority of students could refrain from using cell phones and not be distracted by them in class. In fact, over 71% of students didn’t

This not only disrupt my teaching, but it takes my students engagement away from the topic. It is too difficult to recover the pace after each interruption. On the same line, it is really hard to keep all students on pace and learning, when they are pull out due to misconduct, for meeting, or any other administrative reason. Usually, when a student has a conduct problem or pattern, he or she is the one with more academic need. I believe that these type of interruptions should be minimaxed and only use in an emergency situation. Each of the personnel should be a support for teachers, not the other way around. The allocation of people is essential for the instructional success.

the sign and obey the classroom rules immediately. The teacher treads to the misbehaved students

Distractions have always been an issue for me, and with the number of kids in one individual class it's hard to every actually pay attention and get to things done. Distractions aren't a really big

Technology in the classroom can be extremely distracting for the students. Not all the technology in the classroom is distracting but the one that has been distracting for students lately is the iPad. Elementary school children already do not have the attention span to sit in class. Technology is something the students see as fun. They take the iPad and know that there are games to play on it. In one article there was a partnership with 18 schools in Canada and students that were mostly 14 year olds were interviewed (The iPad in education: Uses, benefits, and challenges, 2013). In one of the interviews a student said that “it is hard to concentrate in class” (p. 31) because of the iPads. If iPads already make learning hard for 14 year olds,

    Sometimes in the classroom you will find that some children are easily distracted and are becoming bored.  A usual case for when a child seems to be bored in a class is that they have already learned what is being taught.  Either the information has already been ingrained inside or they are quick at understanding the basic concepts, whatever the case may be the child is now finding it hard to concentrate and focus in the classroom.  This child will begin to cause disturbances and just all around not enjoy the process of learning, which potentially could impact the other children.

If you were to ask me what my number one priority is in my classroom, without a thought my answer would be behavior management. Much like Marzano (2003) I believe that behavior management is the number one key for learning success. If a classroom is chaotic and unpredictable many students will show various kinds of undesired behaviors as a way to cope with the environment. It is also very difficult for students to focus and retain information when there are constant disruptions in the classroom. It will negatively affect the performance of the teacher, and the students. When students are taught structure and routine, and given unwavering expectations and consequences, and are then taught how to apply