AI, Smartwatches & Screens: Tackling Distractions in the Online Classroom

The Evolution of Distractions in the Classroom

As students gain more access to technology, distractions have begun to evolve. Teachers are finding it difficult to maintain student focus in a traditional learning environment, let alone in a online setting. And now with the rise in AI—it’s seeming like it’s only getting more difficult to eliminate these distractions. But what is AI? Is it helpful or harmful?

AI Tools: Helpful or Harmful?

AI, also known as artificial intelligence—is a broad name for a number of different applications and systems. To keep things simple, we’ll frame AI in the context of ChatGPT, an AI chat bot. With this AI, you are able to ask it anything you desire, whether that’s a question that’s bothering you, or a problem on your homework. Furthermore, AI is extremely powerful, but in the wrong hands can actually hurt one’s education. For this reason, it’s hard to say it’s helpful or harmful. On one end, the world is growing adaptively with AI in mind—so it’s important for students to know how to use it, while on the other hand, it can function as a cheating or plagiarizing tool for the student.

To give a more concrete answer, AI is harmful to younger students in middle school and early high school, while it can be a beneficial tool for students in late high school and college. The reason for this is that when a student is younger, it’s essential for them to work through problems to gain a fundamental understanding. This gives a solid foundation for more advanced classes where students are given access to tools such as calculators and in some cases: AI.

Smartwatches and the Rise of Subtle Distractions

As technology develops there seems to be a rise in what we call ‘subtle distractions’. Things that cause these distractions may not distract a student long enough to be in the same category as say a smart phone—instead, they are mini distractions that happen frequently. The biggest example would be smartwatches. While you can’t surf the web or scroll social media on a smart watch, they can still pose a serious distraction in the form of notifications. When a student’s wrist buzzes from the notification present on a smart watch, they disengage from the lesson. Even if for a few seconds, this ‘mini distraction’ can become quite the detriment for students as their focus is instantly lost. On top of this, notifications can be endless. From text messages to app notifications, the smart watch wants to steal the student’s attention from their school work.

Multitasking & Screen Overload

It seems there’s a common misconception that multitasking is a skill that can be developed. This is actually not the case, and multi-tasking can lead to distractions and can even impact the work the student is doing. Also known as screen overload, students today are multi-tasking in the form of completing work while in front of a screen. This screen could be a TV, their phone, or even their smart watch! For this reason, it’s so important for students to have a quiet, distraction free environment to complete homework!

Strategies for Reducing Distractions in the Online Classroom

For Educators

Building More Interactive and Engaging Lesson Formats

The more interactive a lesson is, the more engaged a student becomes. While this doesn’t inherently erase the risk of distractions in an online environment—it instead encourages students to stay engaged on their own volition. These engaging lessons can come in many forms such as:

• Lesson Conversation
• Games and Simulations
• Quizzes
• Break Out Rooms
• Connecting Lessons to Real-Life (Pop-culture etc.)

Using Tools that Lock Browsers

A more aggressive approach, but one that is highly effective is issuing devices that have restrictions. These restrictions can be customized by the school/teacher to restrict access to certain websites/apps. In our own school, we’ve found this is a great approach for younger learners online where impulse is harder to control.

Creating Expectations Around Device Usage

The final strategy I want to discuss for educators revolves around creating expectations around device usage and digital literacy. Let’s face it, technology is here to stay and instilling digital literacy can go a long way in preparing a student for their future after school. With that being said, this is best saved for older students who are in or are entering high school. Teaching and instilling these positive values develops self-control for the student and builds a healthy relationship with technology.

For Parents

Creating a Distraction-Free Learning Environment at Home

This is one of the most important parts of online learning for students. A distraction-free learning environment is the separation between academic success and struggle for your student. When creating this environment, you want to ensure that the student is a quiet learning space—far away from a TV, phone, and smartwatch.

Setting Tech Guidelines and Boundaries

This strategy is important for building a healthy relationship with technology. As mentioned above, technology isn’t going anywhere—for this reason, it’s a great idea to instill digital literacy in your student to best prepare them for life after school. If a student can practice self-control that puts them far ahead of their peers in the age of digital distractions.

Spot-Checking for Younger Students

For younger students, online learning is a bigger hurtle. This is because executive functioning skills are being actively developed still which may require more work on the parent end. For this reason I recommend spot-checking your student throughout the day or even co-viewing if you’re able! It’s a great way to keep your student on track.

What Tenney School Live Does Different

In the age of digital distractions, it seems like online learning is difficult choice. Finding the right online school is essential, and with Tenney School Live with limit distractions with our proven methods! Every one of our students is assigned a school Chromebook and document camera which means the school can control what parts of the computer the student has access to at different times. Additionally, all of our classes are taught synchronously and one-to-one which means your student is getting the individualized attention they need and deserve. If this sounds like the right environment for your student—inquire today for more information!