Technological Distractions in the Classroom

by Kelly Presmyk

What are the distractions?

Ever since schools were developed, teachers have had to deal with classroom distractions. From students talking, giggling, and passing notes to getting up and walking around create problems in schools. Today, these are not the only distraction that a teacher will have to face. Technology is becoming more and more popular among adolescents and in some cases consumes their lives. Some students cannot leave their bedrooms in the morning without putting their iPod in their ears. Some students feel “lost” without their cell phone on them at all times. Some adolescents play their portable video games constantly. All of these technologies create major disturbances in the classroom. As a novice teacher, it is important to know about these disturbances and how to deal with them in your classroom before they get out of control.


(Image retrieved from: http://kimandjason.com/blog/2007/11)

Who is causing the distractions?

According to The Adolescent, “In 2004 nearly half of all American teenagers owned their own cell phone; girls are slightly more likely then boys to do so” (Rice, 310). The issue of allowing students to have their cell phones in school is a very messy battle. On one hand, the parents and students feel much safer if they can have phones. They feel this way because of senseless violent acts that have happened in schools in the past. Parents also want their children to have phones in case their plans change. According to National School Debate, “84% want cell phone contact between themselves and their children during school hours if there are changes in schedules.” On the other hand, “66% are concerned their children will overuse text messaging or cell phone instead of focusing on school or homework. Parents are also worried about their kids using mobile access to inappropriate content such as pornography.”

As a teacher, you may or may not be familiar with all that a cell phone can do. More then likely, your students know everything there is to know about them. This is why it is so important to understand the distractions that the cell phone can cause in your class. The most basic distraction is that the ringing that the phone produces is a big problem. However, today students are using phones to cheat. They are taking pictures on their phones and sending them to friends. Some students also take inappropriate pictures of their classmates during class and starting vicious rumors. Students use their class time to text message their friends. Text messages are huge sources of bullying in schools. According to National School Debate, “Over 30% of parents believed their children will be exposed to mobile bullying or harassment.”

Cell phones are not the only technology that causes classroom disturbances. The iPod is another way that students entertain themselves in class. Students have the ability to watch movies and listen to music during class. Some students have also found ways to put their iPod in their clothes and have the speaker in their ear during an exam. This is an extreme form of cheating, but is a major disturbance in the classroom.

What can you do to prevent these distractions in your classroom?

As a novice teacher, it is important to let your class know about your rules regarding these technologies. Here are some rules that you should try in your classroom:

• Make it clear that the cell phones are to be put on silent during your class.
• If the cell phone rings, you could answer it or take it from the student for the class period.
• If your school allows students to have these technologies, have the students put them out on their desks or under their chairs. This way, you can see that they are not using them during class.
• If there are students abusing your rules, make sure you stop class and discuss with everyone how disruptive these technologies are.

As you can see, cell phones and iPods can be a major distraction in your classroom. However, the iPod can do much more than just play music. They can be a very great way to have your students learn creatively. The creator of the iPod, Apple, has become strong advocates of schools using iPods in education. Since adolescents today use these technologies so much, try these ideas to use them as an asset to your lessons:

• Record daily lessons so that your students can upload them and play them over and over again.
• Have your students record songs about the days lesson and play them for the class.
• Upload historic speeches from iTunes and listen to them in class.
• Visit iTunes.com and upload podcasts from grammar and math lessons to the Constitution.
• Save documents containing the daily notes and have students upload them to their iPods.
• Download a program called Quizzler Maker and create 10 question quizzes for your students to take on their iPods.

Using iPods to promote learning in your class can be a very helpful tool for your students! iPods are a portable way for your students to learn outside of the classroom. From music files to videos, iPods can bring excitement into your classroom. Please consider using these technologies in your lessons instead of fighting the fad. Overall, you as the teacher need to make the decision. Either you need to stand up and stick to your rules about cell phones, or incorporate them into the learning experience.