Literature on electronics as distractions

1. Literature on electronics as distractions • 90-97.5% of students report texting in class; • Over 99% while studying • 97% report noticing other students misusing phones and/or laptops • 75% report phones in class are “mostly a distraction” • 10% report using a phone during an exam • 54% believe instructors don’t notice • (Jackson, 2013; Olmstead & Terry, 2014; Tindell & Bohlander, 2012) • Presence and use of a cell phone distracting and associated with: • Poorer performance on assignments and exams • Overall GPA • Higher anxiety and lower satisfaction with life relative to peers who use cell phones less • (End et al., 2010; Froese et al., 2012; Junco & Cotton, 2012; Thorton et al., 2014; Lepp et al., 2014)

2. Literature on electronics as distractions • Why so distracting? • Facebook, texting, and instant messaging used most • Social networking main in-class use; less for course-related work outside of taking notes • Habitual texting in other contexts can predict texting in class • Size of classroom impacts students’ perception of ability to use • Students report anxiety in being separated from phones; intrusive thoughts about phone when access is limited • Mere presence of phone impacts students’ attentional capacity and performance on cognitively demanding tasks • (Froese et al., 2012; Junco & Cotten;, 2012; Tindell & Bohlander, 2012; Lepp et al., 2014; Olmstead & Terry, 2014)

3. Literature on electronics as distractions • Who cares? • Students acknowledge texting limits ability to pay attention • Students exhibit greater acceptance of cell phone and off-task laptop use in class than faculty • Males more than females; Undergraduates more than graduates • Students believe they can multitask • Students request clearly outlined policies in the syllabus, and consistent enforcement, regardless of the type of policy • (Froese et al., 2012; Tindell & Bohlander, 2012; Junco & Cotton, 2012; Olmstead & Terry, 2014; Jackson, 2013)

4. Student feedback (My course: Fall 2014) • I really enjoyed the no electronics policy in class. It was nice to have an hour of my day where I wasn’t reading emails, answering calls and texting family and friends. It really helps focus in class. This might be the only class where I have learned a substantial amount of useful information. • Contrary to popular opinion, I liked the no electronics policy. Everyone should be able to put their phone and laptop away for 50 minutes to focus on a class that you are paying for. I completely understand why Lena and the guest speakers don't want electronics out. • The no cell phone rule is one of my favorites for the entire semester because it gives you a break from your phone, whether you like it or not, and it is way less distracting to not see other people tinkering on their phones. • This sounds so weird but I enjoyed having the no cell phones in class rules it was a great time to be off my phone!

5. Student feedback (My course: Fall 2014) • I also just enjoyed the fact we could not use electronics in class this semester. I clearly remember on the first day of class how I had sat down and pulled out my laptop ready to go thinking this would be just like any other lecture class and I was at first disappointed and a little annoyed when Lena told everyone that this is a no electronic class. However as the semester went on and almost every time I went to class since then, I found myself pretty interested and attentive to the lecture at hand that I did not miss using my laptop or phone throughout class at all. This is probably the only class I have taken in my 2.5 years of being at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign that I am able to say I was completely fine with not using my electronics. Many times throughout the semester I would look at the clock and be amazed that class was almost over, simply because I was pretty interested throughout lecture I didn’t pay attention to the clock and how much time was left. I would also be happy to pull out my phone at 2:50 pm when class was over and be a little happy with myself that I hadn’t looked at my phone for the past hour. It was definitely great to have this experience this semester.

7. Before you prohibit electronics • Do you have control over the syllabus and in-class structure? • How large is your class? • Who will implement and enforce this policy? • Do you have quizzes or exams? • How should students take notes? • What is your teaching style? • Do you use electronics in meetings, workshops and classes?

8. Removing electronics: Stay positive • Don’t be punitive or adversarial • Frame within benefits for the students and class culture • Have clear reasons for removing electronics • Incorporate into your syllabus and other course materials • Revise your teaching strategies and anticipated goals • Announce and define expectations and consequences • Be a role model • Reward good behavior