The Northwestern Evaluation Association (2015) has determined that there is a 69% correlation between time to the task and student achievement. You will notice that there is a statement about cell phones in the chapter’s title. Attention has a lot more to do than just keeping students off cell phones and social media. However, this has become a new and tremendous problem for professors and teachers around the world. Look at a few of the statistics when it comes to cell phone addiction from the Common Sense Media Survey (2018):

Addiction: One out of every two teens feels addicted to his or her device, and the majority of parents (59%) feel that their kids are addicted.

Frequency: 72% of teens and 48% of parents feel the need to immediately respond to texts, social-networking messages, and other notifications; sixty-nine percent of parents and 78 percent of teens check their devices at least hourly.

Distraction: 77% of parents feel their children get distracted by their devices and don't pay attention when they're together at least a few times per week.

Conflict: One-third of parents and teens (36% and 32%, respectively) say they argue with each other on a daily basis about device use.

Risky behavior: 56% of parents admit they check their mobile devices while driving; 51% of teens see their parents checking/using their mobile devices when driving.

Also, college students are on their cell phones an average of nine hours a day (Roberts et al, 2014). According to Psychology Today (2012), text signals and other stimuli from cell phones releases dopamine in the brain which is why these little devices are so addictive. It is similar to the variable ratio schedule of gambling described by B.F. Skinner.

Cell phones are a huge distraction and battle for professors. We recommend that students not be allowed to have them at all unless the professor is requiring some research to be done. Remember the syllabus example with a firm statement on cell phones: 

CELL PHONE/PAGER POLICY: Cell phones and pagers are a distraction to the educational process. Turn off all electronic devices during class. Notes need to be taken paper and pencil. 

You will receive plenty of excuses like these:

Excuse: I need to have my cell phone on and answer calls. What if there is an emergency? 

Answer: When I was a kid, we did not have cell phones. When there was an emergency, my parents would simply call the principal or the school itself, and a teacher or officer would come to the class and let me know. Somehow, we were able to manage to survive without cell phones back in the day. If there is an emergency, simply have that person call the university campus police and have an officer come to the classroom. 

Excuse: I have a sick child and cannot have someone simply call the campus police, it may take too long.

Answer: Here is my cell phone number. If there is an emergency, have your family member or friend call me.

If you don’t wish to give your cell phone number. 

Answer 2: Very well. If somebody calls your cell phone, I would assume it’s an emergency need to leave. So, if your cell phone goes off please, leave the class and don’t come back.

Common Response from Student: But what if it’s just a friend or it’s not an emergency?

Response to the question: That is a chance you’re going to have to take. If you insist on having a cell phone in the class, I suggest you tell all your friends and family members not to call you during this time and to only call you in case there’s an emergency. Once again, if your cell phone goes off, I will assume it’s an emergency, and I will insist that you leave and not come back to class.

Excuse: I need to use my computer or cell phone to take notes. I have a hurt wrist or handwriting disability.

Answer: I’m so sorry that you’re going through that. In that case please sit at the front of the class so you can hear me clearly, and I will continue to check your notes to make sure that this is what you’re doing and not surfing the Internet. I will also explain to the class why it is that you are allowed to use your computer or cell phone and others are not. They need to know so they know that I’m not giving special treatment. If at any point you are not using your cell phone or computer to take notes, then I will disallow this device in class.

Visit here - https://helpbeginstoday.com/