University Students’ Perceptions of Digital Distractions in Erbil, Iraq: Insights and Strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23918/ijsses.v12i4p4Keywords:
Digital Devices, Distractions, Perception, Students, UniversitiesAbstract
Digital devices are popular among learners due to their ease of accessing information and help keep in contact. This leads to frequent usage of digital devices that can lead to distraction or a shift in attention by possible notifications, videos, messages, and so on. University students specifically may struggle with keeping focus and continuing tasks because their devices draw attention away. This research presents learners' awareness regarding their device usage and the effects they experience. It works to gain comprehension of digital distractions' impact on learners' focus and functionality. Also, it aims to find strategies to reduce digital distractions to improve learning. The quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive survey method was chosen to gain insight into the digital distractions of learners. A Google Forms questionnaire was used to collect data from 170 learners attending Tishk International University- Erbil and Catholic University in Erbil. Through findings, it was found that digital distractions did present an issue for focus and grades of the participants. Most participants shared that audio alerts and text messages were the device features that were the most distracting. Common strategies to help manage these distractions were explored. Silencing sounds and keeping the device in another area were the most helpful strategies to maintain productivity. Overall, digital distractions were present among learners of these universities. These distractions did not overly harm their educational efforts but did cause hindrances in productivity.
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