Education gaze traditionally foregrounds student agency and pedagogical approaches to smartphone distraction in the classroom try to reclaim an illusory independent human agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, more stimulating and engaging pedagogy alone<\/strong><\/em> is not the answer to smartphone distraction when students already have their smartphones in their hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My answer is stimulating and engaging pedagogy plus<\/strong><\/em> nudges; when students already have their smartphones in their hands we need to use adaptive digital nudges at appropriate times to nudge the student to get back on task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to do this is to use software agents. As software agents continue to evolve, “these software agents will ostensibly know enough about you, and be tirelessly connected and competent enough regarding all things digital, to be your concierge, research assistant, tutor, etc.” (David Vogt, ETEC 523 course, Summer 2020, UBC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n I showcase exemplars of next generation software agents soon to be available to be at the service of teachers and students which, alongside stimulating and engaging pedagogy, combat smartphone distraction in the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n