Investigating Digital Distraction among Pre-service Science, Technology, and Mathematics Teachers in Nigeria

Internationally, proliferation of digital technologies in classrooms has produced digital distractions among digital natives in this 21st century. Thus, it is highly imperative to develop a suitable instrument for assessing and measuring digital distraction among higher education students to enable continuing research and practice. While previous studies had treated and measured digital distraction as a sub-component of a multi-dimensional construct and as a test, the present study through instrumentation survey research, developed and authenticated a standalone digital distraction scale among pre-service science, technology and mathematics (STM) teachers in Nigeria. The instrument is constructed by adopting a multidimensional standpoint of digital distraction around a higher-order modelling method. The pre-service STM teachers were recruited from a culturally varied university student population in Nigeria. The results showed a high level of digital distraction among the pre-service STM teachers in Nigeria and the digital distraction is composed of several connected yet distinctive factors (emotional distraction, digital addiction, and distraction by procrastination), with proof backing up a higher-order structural archetypal. More so, empirical evidence confirmed the measurement invariance of the scale with regards to gender and the consistency of the psychometric properties of the digital distraction scale. Finally, a test-retest reliability of the digital distraction scale showed that the scores are not variable over time and that the scale is not sensitive to alterations in the learning milieu. Finally, it is hoped that this tool will be handy for educators interested in isolating pre-service STM teachers at risk of high digital distraction which may cause lack of respect and privation of courtesy for instructors and personal distraction in the classroom

Real Time Analytics On Digital Distraction

Hypothesis: empirically measuring the users productivity has the potential to significantly increase their productivity. This paper is the documentation of the process of building software capable of verifying this hypothesis. Starting with the research which gives enough evidence to warrant the hypothesis, also included is commentary on the prototyping, design decisions, and iteration based on user feedback of the software

Helping Students Learn in an Age of Digital Distraction

Our students are inundated with an overwhelming amount of information each day as they navigate social media, peruse various websites, listen to the radio, read print media, and flip through innumerable television channels. Unfortunately, very little of this information is directly connected by our students to their interactions with us in the classroom. In this session, we will explore how to break through the cognitive overload that our students experience on a daily basis and discuss how we can help our students develop effective strategies for learning in the midst of this Age of Digital Distraction

Rapport: A system designed to limit digital distraction within romantic relationships

Technology continues to take a more prominent role within our relationships. Although the Internet allows for more connectivity, it also disconnects people from family and friends in face-to-face situations. As mobile digital technologies continue to advance, they create more and more opportunities for distraction and overuse. With an ever-growing market of smart devices with enhanced abilities, it\u27s important that partners are aware of the implications of their use. To develop a deeper understanding of how digital technology impacts romantic relationships, a digital survey and two data collection studies were administered. Vital information was collected to further develop an understanding of the problems that exist between digital technology and romantic relationships. The data collected helped to outline how relevant digital distraction is within relationships. The data also clearly showed that every relationship is unique and that not every usage problem is the same. The information and data collected were used to create a design solution to help target the issue. Rapport is designed to help couples with their device usage challenges. It aims to help users identify their individual usage problems and understand how their usage might be affecting their romantic relationships. It also helps users establish realistic goals while developing long-term solutions. Rapport aims to promote positive communication, teach compromise and trust, and develop better device usage habits. The system contains three simple parts: the self- and partner-assessment pages, the Rapport usage tracking device, and the monthly analytic reports. Rapport is also aware of the users\u27 vicinity to their partners. When users are on their devices excessively in the presence of their partners, it helps remind them to disconnect. Rapport\u27s goal is to help minimize digital distraction and promote the importance of face-to-face interaction within romantic relationships

Digital distraction, attention regulation, and inequality

In the popular and academic literature on the problems of the so-called attention economy, the cost of attention grabbing, sustaining, and immersing digital medias has been addressed as if it touched all people equally. In this paper I ask whether everyone has the same resources to respond to the recent changes in their stimulus environments caused by the attention economy. I argue that there are not only differences but disparities between people in their responses to the recent, significant increase in the degree and persuasiveness of digital distraction. I point toward individual variance in an agent’s top-down and bottom-up attention regulation, and to further inequality-exacerbating variance in active participation on the internet and in regulating reward-seeking behaviors on the internet. Individual differences in these areas amount to disparities because they have been found to be connected to socioeconomic background factors. I argue that disparities in responding to digital distraction threaten fair equality of opportunity when it comes to digital distraction in the classroom and that they may lead to an unequal contribution of achievements that require complex cognition by people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds

The influence of digital distraction on cognitive load, attention conflict and meeting productivity

Background Meetings are important for organisational functioning and the co-ordination of people, tasks and processes, and an everyday reality of organisational life. As mobile communication technology, such as smart phones, tablets and laptops gets smaller and more powerful, these devices have become more pervasive in every aspect of personal and work life. Increasingly, organisations allow mobile devices to be used during meetings in an effort to be more efficient and save time. However, for a meeting to achieve the desired meeting outcomes, those that participate in the meeting need be actively engaged and focused. It is widely accepted though that mobile communication technology is distracting and can easily draw away one’s focus. This begs the question then as to whether employees should in fact be able to use mobile devices in meetings, or not. Rationale for the research study Research into the effect of mobile communication technology as a source of digital distraction on meeting performance, given individual differences in cognitive processing, is limited. Moreover, no experimental studies could be found that have investigated these relationships. It is hoped that the results of the present study will address the gap that was identified in the literature, as well as provide a useful practical contribution for organisations. The findings of the present study may further be used to inform organisation policy and practice concerning the use of mobile communication technology in meetings. Aim of the research study The aim of the present study was to investigate if the presence of digital distraction in meetings, i.e. the presence of mobile communication technology or mobile devices significantly negatively influences selected cognitive processes (i.e. cognitive load and attention conflict) and ultimately meeting performance (assessed as the time it takes to make a decision; as well as the number and quality of decisions made). Research design and method A two-group post-test only, quasi-experimental research method was utilised to investigate the causal effect of the presence of digital distraction on selected aspects of cognitive processing and meeting performance. For an experiment to be valid, no systematic bias should exist in the comparison groups before the manipulation or intervention, otherwise, one would not be able to deduce that any difference that is observed after the manipulation or intervention was due to the manipulation or intervention. Therefore, to ensure that two equivalent treatment groups were available, individuals were randomly assigned to two meetings. The composition of the two groups was then assessed using the demographic variables that were collected and were not found to be significantly different from one another. The average level concentration performance or attentiveness was also measured and not found to be significantly different. This suggests that the average level of distractibility was the same for the two groups. Two equivalent meetings were held with only the availability of mobile communication technology being different between the meetings (i.e. mobile devices were present and used during the meeting or not). After the meetings were concluded, respondents were asked to complete an online questionnaire that consisted of closed- and openended questions designed to measure the concentration performance, cognitive load and attention conflict constructs. Meeting performance was further evaluated by two independent subject matter experts using a decision-rating scale. Sampling and sample As meetings in organisations was the focus, the study targeted employed individuals, a convenient sample of employees were obtained (n=15) that were randomly assigned to one of two participant groups in two separate meetings. Results The inferential data analyses revealed that cognitive load and attention conflict were both statistically significantly higher in the meeting in which the use of mobile devices were available and used, compared to the meeting in which mobile devices were not present. Moreover, it was found that meeting performance was lower in the meetingwhere mobile communication technology was present. The members of the two meetings made a similar number of decisions, which the independent assessors rated as being of similar quality, however, the group in which mobile communication technology was available took 30 per cent longer (120 versus 90 mins) to come to a similar outcome. Findings The results of the present research study suggest that the presence of digital distraction placed significant (additional) demands on the cognitive processing of individuals, who in meetings are required to fulfil cognitive decision-making tasks. As a direct or indirect result, the presence of digital distractions had a marked negative impact on meeting performance and productivity. Based on the findings, it is argued that restricting digital distractions in meetings can greatly reduce the time spent in meetings, while still achieving desired meetings outcomes. Meetings are essential to effective organisational management and coordination but are also resource intensive with managers spending substantial amounts of their available work time in meetings. Organisations operating in resource constrained environments need to be increasingly efficient in their use of scarce resources and, arguably, time is the most precious resource of all. Managerial Implications Based on the findings of the present study, it is recommended that unless mobile communication devices are required to achieve meeting outcomes, managers should declare meetings as technology free zones. Doing so may lead to shorter more productive meetings giving those that often attend meetings more time to attend to other matters

The digital Sabbath and the digital distraction: Arts-based research methods for new audiences

Despite the known affordances of Arts-Based Research Practice within the international education environment, its use remains relatively uncommon in Western Australia. The reasons for this are likely the contested nature of quality criteria by which Arts-Based Practice is evaluated as well as the challenges as well associated with the dissemination of research findings. Mixed-methods research is increasingly recognised as an appropriate and practical approach for education phenomena, and within this domain, inquiry that combines traditional qualitative and arts-based strategies offers the education researcher advantages that are not readily available through other approaches. As professional artists and researchers we share our experiences in employing our visual arts specialism within a qualitative approach. Our focus for inquiry was a “Digital Sabbath” intervention (a practice of regularly unplugging from all technology/devices with the aim of increasing social connectedness and mitigating stress) with seven early career visual arts teachers whose voices and experience of the digital disruption might otherwise have remained silenced. The importance of the study was both that we trialed a well-being intervention, but also that we innovated our methodological research repertoire by combining traditional and contemporary elements of the Qualitative paradigm

Digital and Non-Digital Distractions for IT Professionals’ Remote Work

The pandemic has forced many firms to adopt remote work practices. However, recent surveys show that remote work productivity is mixed. Primary negative factors against productivity are digital and non-digital distractions at home. Considering that IT professionals heavily rely on digital devices, how is their remote work productivity affected by digital and non-digital distractions? The survey data from 60 IT professionals shows that IT professionals’ productivity is not significantly affected by digital distractions compared to those in their office work. On the other hand, non-digital distractions at home lower their productivity. However, their work/life goal commitment counters distractions at home. Implications and future research agendas are discussed

Digitally Distracted: Development and Examination of Conflicted Technology Use

With smartphones allowing billions of users to engage in a plethora of activities anytime and anywhere, many people are increasingly concerned with digital distraction, where technology is used in conflict with goals or intentions. To address it, we require a conceptualization and an understanding of its prevalence, its factors, and its mechanisms. Based on a literature review, we use the theories of self-control and dual process to develop the construct Conflicted Technology Use. We then develop and deploy an instrument to examine where and when it takes place, who is susceptible, how it is triggered, and which activities are involved. We further aim to examine the structure of the phenomenon through cluster analysis. We report on four studies from two countries, with a total of 690 participants. By discussing these findings in relation to theories we set out how it can inform specific studies into the combatting Conflicted Technology Use