Page 20 - International Perspectives on Effective Teaching and Learning in Digital Education
P. 20
Maša Černelič-Bizjak and Sabina Ličen
However, the rapid proliferation of digital tools, including smartphones and
social media, has introduced new difficulties in maintaining prolonged focus,
making constant distraction more accessible than ever. Maintaining attention
in digital learning environments is challenging due to potential distractions
like social media, constant notifications, multitasking, and the flexible nature
of online formats. According to research by the Coalition for Psychology in
Schools and Education (), strategies such as limiting distractions, using
interactive elements, and promoting active engagement can help improve
learning retention. These approaches emphasize the importance of creating
a focused and engaging online learning environment for students.
Research indicates that the digital environment introduces challenges for
maintaining sustained focus due to the constant influx of stimuli, including
messages, alerts, and digital interruptions. This phenomenon, known as ’con-
tinuous partial attention’, can lead to superficial understanding and decreased
ability to concentrate (Kirjakovski, 3). ‘Continuous partial attention’ de-
scribes the ongoing process of dividing and shifting focus between multiple
tasks or stimuli without fully engaging in any of them. This practice often re-
sults in a shallow understanding of information and diminished concentra-
tion on any single task. As noted by Firth et al. (19), we have moved from the
‘information age’ into an ‘age of interruption.’ This phenomenon, identified by
Stone (7), is a symptom of attentional overload, which occurs when envi-
ronmental demands exceed an individual’s available attentional resources. In
the digital world, this overload is driven by a constant stream of stimuli, such
as alerts, personalized notifications, social media updates, emails, texts, and
news feeds, all vying for our attention. Moreover, frequent interruptions in
digital settings, such as checking smartphones or engaging with social me-
dia, can overload attentional capacity, impacting cognitive performance and
learning outcomes. Studies (Shanmugasundaram & Tamilarasu, 3) show
that excessive use of smartphones and multitasking are linked to poorer at-
tentional control, making it difficult for learners to maintain focus on their
tasks.
Engagement, Interactive Methods and Microlearning: Practical
Approaches for Maintaining Attention in Digital Learning Environments
Engagement through interactive learning methods, such as quizzes, polls,
and gamified elements, plays a crucial role in enhancing learning outcomes
in digital environments. These methods help transform passive learning into
an active process, as they require learners to actively participate, apply knowl-
edge, and receive immediate feedback (Dichev & Dicheva, 17). For instance,
