The effect of technology on attention and concentration within the classroom context

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of technology on attention and concentration within the South African classroom. The theoretical investigation showed the link between focus, attention and concentration. It also revealed the importance of motivation in order to capture the attention of the learner in the classroom. The life-world of the learner is often far removed from the classroom learning context. During the empirical investigation, lessons were conducted with and without the presence of technology in order to ascertain whether a difference in attention and concentration would elicit different results. An ANOVA procedure indicated that there is a significant difference between the average achievements of a group of learners exposed to technology during a lesson, compared to a group not exposed to technology; there is a significant difference between the average attentions of a group of learners exposed to technology during a lesson compared to a group not exposed to technology; there is a significant relationship that exists between motivation and concentration; and that a significant relationship exists between motivation and attention in Mathematics.