Math by the Mountain

You’re mid-lesson, the class is focused, and then—you see it. A student subtly shifts, hand to pocket. Their phone just buzzed.

They don’t even take it out. No screen, no scrolling.

But the damage is already done.

Research shows that just feeling a phone vibrate can knock a student off task for up to 5 minutes. Not because they checked it, but because their brain did—automatically.

That tiny buzz triggers a cognitive shift. Their mind starts to wonder: Who texted me? Is it urgent? Should I check?
Even if they resist, their focus is gone, and it takes time—and effort—to get it back.

Studies on the impact of phones in classrooms reveal something every teacher has seen: tech distractions don’t need screens to sabotage attention. The anticipation alone burns mental fuel.

Over time, the problem compounds. Students conditioned by constant notifications develop twitchy attention spans. They struggle to stay present even when they aren’t actively on their device.

So what can we do?
Create clear, consistent phone policies. Talk to students about why focus matters. Be transparent with students about the reasons behind those policies to develop buy-in.

Because that little buzz?
It’s louder than it sounds.

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Want to read about my classroom phone policy? The Cell Hotel – A Cell Phone Management System that Actually Works