1. A study conducted by the University of Chicago found that even if cell phones were turned off, put faced down on a student’s desk or simply put away, their presence reduces cognitive capacity to maintain information.
2. The reason for this question is to see the percentage of students that have acell phone. The coralation between this and others who use a cell phone would be to compare marks, along the 4 inquiry questions.
2.1. Students without cell phones performed better in several areas. 62% more information in their notes, were able to maintain and recall more information, and scores a full letter grade higher on multiple choice tests than those who were actively using their cell phones.
2.2. There was a survey conducted by the Vanier Institute, where it showed that 24% of all students in grade 4 had cell phones, 52% of grade 7 and 85% of grade 11 own a cell phone.
3. 3. How has nomophobia impacted students ability to focus?
3.1. On average, how often do you have thoughts related to cell phone-related activity in class?
3.1.1. This is to see how many thoughts are occupied of nomophobia/ desire to interact with their cell phone.
3.1.1.1. There was research conducted that used college students and their cell phones and how that could impair learning during a lecture. The study took place with 381 college students. They watched an online lecture and to which they were to take a short quiz afterward. The lecture was 20 minutes, and was about empathy. Some students were allowed to use their cell phones, some were told to only put it into silent mode, and some were not to possess the cell phone at all. During the lecture, there were 4 text messages sent out to the students. . Researchers found that students didn’t do well on the quiz when they possessed their cell phones and when their nomophobia was higher (The fear of missing your cell phone) the same were for those students who were distracted by their texts. This happened more profoundly during 10-25 minutes into the lecture. There was research conducted that used college students and their cell phones and how that could impair learning during a lecture. The study took place with 381 college students. They watched an online lecture and to which they were to take a short quiz afterward. The lecture was 20 minutes, and was about empathy. Some students were allowed to use their cell phones, some were told to only put it into silent mode, and some were not to possess the cell phone at all. During the lecture, there were 4 text messages sent out to the students. . Researchers found that students didn’t do well on the quiz when they possessed their cell phones and when their nomophobia was higher (The fear of missing your cell phone) the same were for those students who were distracted by their texts. This happened more profoundly during 10-25 minutes into the lecture.
3.2. Did you ever notice that if you had your cell phone at the corner of your desk, you would be tempted to use it?
3.2.1. This is to see that even after the student has put their phone down, how much that nomophobia is impacting their focus
3.2.1.1. Quote = “Having mobile technology in the classroom has multiple and independent negative effects on learning. The mere presence of a cell phone can be distracting for both the cell phone user and students sitting around the cell phone user, not to mention the obvious distraction if someone gets a text or phone call (even if on silent),” McDonough explained.
3.2.1.2. A study was conducted where participants were to complete 2 neuropsychological tasks which were designed to test function and attention. Each task had 2 levels of difficulty. At the start, the experimenter ‘accidentally’ left the cell phone in the desk of a participant. Participants performed worse on the task with the cell phone compared to the ones that used a notebook and pen. Half the participants had cell phones at their desks, The conclusion was that the presence of a phone is distracting to affect cognitive functioning, but only during certain tasks.
3.3. If your teacher took your phone away at the start or during class, do you ever experience the fear of missing your cell phone?
3.3.1. This is to see if nomophobia impacts focus.
3.3.1.1. Cell phones interfere with focus, even if the user tries to ignore the cell phone. Evidence shows that even the awareness of a cell phone may impact cognitive performance.
3.4. Have you tried to ignore your phone in class, but found it really hard?
3.4.1. This is to see if the student suffers from nomophobia.
3.4.1.1. Cell phones interfere with focus even when the user attempts to ignore them. Exposure to cell phone notifications decrease performance on an attention based task. Studies have shown that poor academic performance can be predicted by higher levels of smartphone use.
4. 4. How has it impacted a student’s mental health?
4.1. Would you say your phone brings anxiety to you in any way?
4.1.1. This is to see how much cell phones are impacting the student's mental health in anxiety, which deteriates their ability to focus
4.1.1.1. This ‘addiction’ can give anxiety when someone hasn’t checked their cellphone in a while. This anxiety tends to occur within a 10 minute period.
4.1.1.2. Phantom vibration syndrome = where people think a vibration occurred from their phone in their pocket, when no such vibration occurred. This ‘addiction’ can give anxiety when someone hasn’t checked their cellphone in a while.
4.1.1.3. This anxiety tends to occur within a 10 minute period.
4.2. At what percentage of time on average do you feel like your cell phone causes you anxiety in class?
4.2.1. This is to see to what degree that effects their ability to learn.
4.2.1.1. Cyberbullying, decreased sleep and being less physically active account for anxiety
4.2.1.2. Depression and anxiety also have a negative impact on cognitive functioning. In connection with anxiety, technology habits, and cognitive functioning, found that limiting access to email reduced anxiety, and later improves focus on related tasks.
5. Do you own a cell phone?
6. 1. How has it limited students' ability to maintain information?
6.1. Do you find your cell phone distracting when you try to study for a test?
6.1.1. The reason for this question is to see the percentage of students who struggle with maintaining information because they are distracted by their cell phones.
6.2. Did you find that the cell phone ban at SDSS helped you improve in school?
6.2.1. The reason for this question is to compare the statistics of my research to the survey that I'm doing.
6.2.1.1. Students without cell phones performed better in several areas. 62% more information in their notes, were able to maintain and recall more information, and scores a full letter grade higher on multiple choice tests than those who were actively using their cell phones.
6.2.1.2. A study showed that schools who banned cellphones earned higher exam scores opposed to those schools that didn’t. Low performing students saw their marks benefit from the ban the most.
6.2.1.3. There was a study conducted in 2018 where exam performance was worse for students who had a cellphone compared to “No-device” students, and student performance in exams significantly increased with a ban on cell phones.
6.3. On average, at what percentage of the time would you spend on your phone in class vs. academic studies?
6.3.1. This would help me see the percentage of students who are struggling with maintaining information due to this and to see if there is some coorilation
6.3.1.1. Cell phone usage and excessive amounts of text messaging decreases functionality, and it also shrinks the right frontal lobes of the brain ( Prefrontal Cortex) Leading to potential dysfunction so the prefrontal cortex can’t work right.
6.3.1.2. Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields have effects on the development of memory performance. With the evolution of technology comes an increase to RF-EMF in everyday life. This exposure source to the brain is the mobile device close to the head. Environmental International observed in a 2018 study that adolescent brains. They found that when RF-EMF exposure from a mobile device over 1 year has a negative effect on the memory performance in adolescents.
6.4. On average, how often do you get notifications on your phone that shift your attention away from school-related work in class?
6.4.1. This question is to see exactly whether Endogenous and/ or exogenous thoughts are at play here.
6.4.1.1. Cell phones interfere with mental and physical tasks. Smartphone related interruptions come in two forms. Endogenous and exogenous. Endogenous Interruptions occur when the user’s thoughts drift towards cell phone related activity, and therefore comes the desire to interact with the device. Exogenous interruptions occur when something that is external captures the viewer’s attention. This can be directly from the cell phone, but can also be triggered by frequent cell phone use. This can then prompt the user to interact with the cell phone.
6.5. On a scale of 1 - 10, at how much do you feel possessive of your phone?
6.5.1. This is to see if students are cell phone addicts as it has a part to play one of my other questions
6.6. On average, How much time before bed do you spend on your phone?
6.6.1. This is to see whether student's cell phones are impacting their sleep patturns, as it impacts the ability to maintain information.
6.6.1.1. Students need a full nights sleep to maintain knowledge from the day before Studies show that students could lose sleep, and only maintain rote learning People have 5 periods of REM sleep over a typical night Tests by a professor at Trent University of Ontario show that students who lose 2 periods of REM sleep forgot much of what they’ve learned the night before.
6.6.1.2. Studies have shown that exposure to electronic devices with a brightly lit screen before bed (TV, computer, cellphone, ect) can have a negative effect on someone’s sleep. Cell phones make the problem worse because people charge them beside the bed and use them as an alarm clock. Over 77% of Americans follow this pattern.
6.7. On average, how much time do you spend on your cell phone during class?
6.7.1. This question is to judge how much information they could be taking in and maintaining, and also to see if their cell phone is impacting them to maintain information.
6.7.1.1. It is proven that to maintain information in long term memory, a person must first interpret and process information from externally (A lecture for instance) and then selectively pick out key concepts while ignoring any distractions ( such as cell phone notifications). If one doesn’t do this, then the information is not maintained and later being able to recall when needed, thus decreasing the ability to maintain information.
6.8. At what average (approximately) was your highschool mark in the previous year?
6.8.1. this is to see how well they are paying attention in class.
6.8.1.1. “Phones are a distraction. It’s a problem for everyone,” she said. “What we know from brains is that the ability to focus is part of the executive function development of the prefrontal cortex.
6.9. Has your teacher ever caught you for using your phone in class?
6.9.1. This is to see how well teachers are to ensure the information they're teaching is being maintained.
6.9.1.1. “Our government heard clearly from parents and educators about the growing challenge related to distracted students in the classroom. When in class, students should be focused on their studies and not on social media,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement.
6.10. What time do you go to bed? ( approximately)?
6.10.1. This is to see how long they sleep for, as it affects their ability to maintain information.
6.10.1.1. - Students need a full nights sleep to maintain knowledge from the day before Studies show that students could lose sleep, and only maintain rote learning People have 5 periods of REM sleep over a typical night - Tests by a professor at Trent University of Ontario show that students who lose 2 periods of REM sleep forgot much of what they’ve learned the night before.
7. 2. How has cell phones contributed to a student’s attitude towards school?
7.1. Do you feel like you would enjoy school more if you could limit the number of distractions you have from your cell phone?
7.1.1. This question is to see how many student s are aware of the problem, and also to see if students can benefit from their phone not being with them.
7.1.1.1. If teens hate school, this could be because they are worn out, they feel overwhelmed like there is too much to balance, they may be sleep deprived which affects their moods, which makes them more likely to perceive situations negatively.
7.2. If you get a bad mark, does it contribute to your attitude in liking school?
7.2.1. This is to see if a student get a bad mark because they weren't paying attention in class, if that reflects in their attitude towards school.
7.2.1.1. This is done for the survey results, mostly from the students