ENGINEERING STUDENTS DEALING WITH DISTRACTIONS: CHALLENGES, STRATEGIES, AND IMPLICATIONS

Pritish Bhanja; Pranati Das; Sudarsan Sahoo

doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i6.2024.5956

Authors

Pritish Bhanja Research Scholar, Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology University, Gunupur, Odisha Assistant Professor of English, GITA Autonomous College, Bhunaneswar, Odisha
Dr Pranati Das Research Scholar, Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology University, Gunupur, Odisha Assistant Professor of English, GITA Autonomous College, Bhunaneswar, Odisha
Dr Sudarsan Sahoo Assistant Professor and Co-Guide, PMEC, Brahmapur, Odisha

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i6.2024.5956

Keywords:

Engineering Education, Student Distraction, Digital Distraction, Academic Performance, Time Management, Attention Management

Abstract [English]

This study dives into finding the varied distractions engineering students deal with in academic setups absorbed with increased digital engagement and rapid technological changes. Academic performance is seriously impacted due to these distractions that ranges from psychological stress to social media. In this paper, 120 engineering students from Centurion University, Bhubaneswar participated in a survey. The findings of the survey highlighted the main sources of distraction, institutional responses, and coping strategies of the students. The study also derives at a list of suggestions. Digital literacy, cognitive-behavioural techniques, and digital literacy are some essential techniques for a healthy digital habit that fosters focus and productivity.

References

Beiter, Rebecca, et al. “The Prevalence and Correlates of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in a Sample of College Students.” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 173, 2015, pp. 90–96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.10.054

Bellur, Saraswathi, et al. “Form or Function? The Role of Form Versus Content in the Processing of Text Messages.” Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 52, 2015, pp. 243–249. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.05.053

Błachnio, Agata, Urszula Przepiórka, and Petar Pantic. “Internet Use, Facebook Intrusion, and Depression: Results of a Cross-sectional Study.” European Psychiatry, vol. 30, no. 6, 2015, pp. 681–684. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.04.002

Blumberg, Fran C., and Patricia J. Brooks. Cognitive Development in Digital Contexts. Academic Press, 2017.

Boice, Robert. Procrastination and Blocking: A Novel, Practical Approach. Praeger, 1996. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9798216001614

Cain, Matthew S., et al. “Media Multitasking in the Classroom: A Longitudinal Examination of Media Use and Academic Performance.” Educational Psychology, vol. 36, no. 5, 2016, pp. 598–613.

Deci, Edward L., and Richard M. Ryan. Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior. Springer, 1985. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2271-7

Ellis, Yvette, Bradley Daniels, and Annette Jauregui. “The Effect of Multitasking on the Grade Performance of Business Students.” Research in Higher Education Journal, vol. 26, 2014, pp. 1–10.

Goleman, Daniel. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books, 1995.

Ives, Peter, Michael Rieger, and Mahsa Renani. “Reconsidering Mobile Integration in Classroom Pedagogy: Benefits and Challenges.” Educational Technology Research and Development, 2024.

Junco, Reynol. “The Relationship Between Frequency of Facebook Use, Participation in Facebook Activities, and Student Engagement.” Computers & Education, vol. 58, no. 1, 2012, pp. 162–171. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2011.08.004

Junco, Reynol, and Shelia R. Cotten. “No A 4 U: The Relationship Between Multitasking and Academic Performance.” Computers & Education, vol. 59, no. 2, 2012, pp. 505–514. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2011.12.023

Kiewra, Kenneth A. Teaching How to Learn. Allyn & Bacon, 2002.

Kuh, George D. The National Survey of Student Engagement: Conceptual Framework and Overview. Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research and Planning, 2001.

Lepp, Andrew, Jacob E. Barkley, and Aryn C. Karpinski. “The Relationship Between Cell Phone Use, Academic Performance, Anxiety, and Satisfaction with Life in College Students.” Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 31, 2014, pp. 343–350. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.10.049

Macan, Therese H., et al. “College Students’ Time Management: Correlations with Academic Performance and Stress.” Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 82, no. 4, 1990, pp. 760–768. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-0663.82.4.760

Misra, Ranjita, and Margaret McKean. “College Students’ Academic Stress and Its Relation to Their Anxiety, Time Management, and Leisure Satisfaction.” American Journal of Health Studies, vol. 16, no. 1, 2000, pp. 41–51.

Ophir, Eyal, Clifford Nass, and Anthony D. Wagner. “Cognitive Control in Media Multitaskers.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 106, no. 37, 2009, pp. 15583–15587. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0903620106

Rosen, Larry D., et al. “An Empirical Examination of the Educational Impact of Text Message-Induced Task Switching in the Classroom: Educational Implications and Strategies to Enhance Learning.” Educational Psychology, vol. 31, no. 8, 2011, pp. 797–812.

Sana, Faria, Tina Weston, and Nicholas J. Cepeda. “Laptop Multitasking Hinders Classroom Learning for Both Users and Nearby Peers.” Computers & Education, vol. 62, 2013, pp. 24–31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.10.003

Small, Gary, and Gigi Vorgan. iBrain: Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind. HarperCollins, 2008.

Steel, Piers. The Nature of Procrastination: A Meta-Analytic and Theoretical Review of Quintessential Self-Regulatory Failure. American Psychological Association, 2007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.133.1.65

Thornton, Bill, et al. “The Mere Presence of a Cell Phone May Be Distracting.” Social Psychology, vol. 45, no. 6, 2014, pp. 479–488. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000216

Wang, Xiang, et al. “Digital Self-Monitoring Tools and Their Impact on Academic Focus.” Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 40, no. 3, 2022, pp. 222–235.

Ward, Adrian F., et al. “Brain Drain: The Mere Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity.” Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, vol. 2, no. 2, 2017, pp. 140–154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/691462

Zimmerman, Barry J. “Becoming a Self-Regulated Learner: An Overview.” Theory into Practice, vol. 41, no. 2, 2002, pp. 64–70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15430421tip4102_2