Are digital distractions the norm in your classroom?

Whether you like it or not, it is pretty clear that digital devices (tablets, phones, laptops, etc.) are part of our everyday lives and possibly an even bigger part of our students' lives.  In fact, many students act like their phones are extra appendages - and if asked to put them away, they gasp in horror and nearly faint at the thought.

Though I'm not in a traditional classroom anymore, I've had many discussions with colleagues about whether using devices in their classrooms enhances their students' experiences or distracts them from learning.  Typically, even my most techie teacher friends admit that it depends on the day, lesson, and group of kids.

In a recent post on Edudemic, Leah Levy proposes some helpful tips for dealing with dreaded digital distractions.