The headlines are everywhere: “schools ban cell phones!” “Digital devices fuel classroom disruption!” The concern over student distraction in the classroom is real, and the role of technology is undeniable. A recent Pew Research Center survey revealed that 72% of U.S. high school teachers consider cell phones a major distraction, prompting a wave of legislative action across the country.
But focusing solely on banning cell phones is like treating a symptom without addressing the underlying cause – it is one piece of the puzzle but not the whole puzzle. Students are distracted for many reasons, and removing one device often leads to another taking its place. The real issue is a lack of classroom engagement, especially active engagement. Today’s students are wired for interactivity, multimedia, and instant feedback, yet traditional teaching methods often leave them uninspired and disengaged.
Instead of fighting technology, let’s embrace its potential to transform the learning experience by leveraging tools already in our classrooms in impactful ways. By shifting our focus from limitations to possibilities, we can create more engaging classrooms where technology becomes not a hindrance, but a powerful ally in the learning process.
Teacher strategies for better student engagement
1. Make sharing fun and fearless: Encouraging student participation starts with creating a safe and supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing their ideas and work. Activities like polls, group presentations, think-pair-share exercises, and even “show and tell” sessions using student devices can make sharing an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Vivi’s features allow students to share their work without the anxiety often associated with presenting in front of the class.
As Julie Patchen, a Music Director at Elkhorn Public Schools, shares: “Students can share their work from wherever they feel comfortable, which takes the anxiety away.” By normalizing the sharing process and letting students share from their seats, teachers reduce the pressure of public speaking and build communication and teamwork skills, helping students participate with confidence.
Students at Elkhorn perform their composition away from the front of the class.
2. Move beyond the front of the class: Traditional lecture-style teaching can be incredibly disengaging for today’s students. Empower teachers to move freely around the classroom, interact with students individually, and create a more dynamic learning environment. Tools like Vivi’s wireless screen mirroring facilitate this by allowing teachers to control displays from anywhere in the room, encouraging them to become active facilitators rather than stationary lecturers.
Monroe County School District wanted to break free from desktop-to-board setups that kept teachers tethered to the front of the room. “We want our teachers to be where the students are, not just in front of the board. Vivi gave us that teacher flexibility,” said Katelin King, District Digital Learning Coach.
With mobile carts and Vivi, teachers can now work one-on-one, lead small groups, or engage the entire class—all without being tied to the front. “Now, our teachers are everywhere, working with their kids,” King added, emphasizing how mobility creates a dynamic, interactive learning space. Read their story here.
3. Support students where they are at: Acknowledge that students have different energy levels, focus, and emotional states throughout the day. Incorporate quick check-ins at the beginning of class – a simple show of hands, an entry ticket activity, or an emoji poll – to gauge student readiness and adjust your teaching accordingly. Consider offering students a “free pass” once per quarter to acknowledge that everyone has off days and sometimes needs a break. This shows empathy and builds trust, making students more receptive to learning when they are feeling “on.”
Students being polled using Vivi
4. Embrace collaborative learning: Group projects reflect the collaborative nature of the real world. Use technology to inspire teamwork and streamline the process. Vivi allows multiple students to share screens, promoting shared ownership and peer learning. It’s time to move beyond the “technology vs. learning” debate and embrace how technology can empower education. Instead of restrictive policies, let’s find solutions that use technology to create engaging learning environments — with or without cell phones.
Students collaborate effortlessly using Vivi’s wireless screen mirroring.
Vivi is more than just a classroom technology platform—it’s a partner in educational innovation. We believe that technology, when used strategically, can transform the classroom into an interconnected space where students thrive, and teachers feel empowered. With Vivi, schools can build future-ready learning environments that prepare students for success.
Looking to learn more?
Want to boost student learning and empower teachers? Our free eBook, Moving Away from the “Front of the Class”, offers research-based tech strategies to transform your classroom! Download now.
