Recommendations for the use of mobile devices in classes
Mobile devices, including laptops, phones, and tablets, are a fixture for university students, and constant connection is an assumption of daily life. However, when used in classrooms, some instructors and students find them inappropriate or distracting.
Transparency about expectations and their rationales contributes to a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Instructors are encouraged to provide a statement in their course outlines about the nature of mobile device usage permitted, supporting rationales for their choices, and how non-compliance will be handled. Instructors may change their guidelines during the term; however, any changes should be explained to students. Note that the Policy Concerning the Right to Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities must always be respected.
Students are often reluctant to formally complain about peer behaviour that they find distracting in class; however, they should be encouraged to inform the instructor of any concerns that they may have, or that may develop over the term, about the use of such devices in class. This is to be presented as helping the instructor create an atmosphere conducive to learning for all.
Establishing use of mobile devices and sample wording
The texts in blue boxes below provide a range of sample wording that may be used or adapted by instructors on their course outlines and form the basis of class discussion.
Common to all courses
The use of mobile devices must, in all cases, respect policies and regulations of the University, including, in particular:
Recording and communication
The use of mobile devices for recording audio or video or for voice communication is not permitted without explicit permission from the instructor.
No audio or video recording of any kind is allowed in class without the explicit permission of the instructor.
Mobile devices are not to be used for voice communication without the explicit permission of the instructor.
Notwithstanding the above, instructors should be sensitive to the support for learning that recording features such as subtitles and translation can provide. If instructors provide permission for recording under specified circumstances, this reduces the need for students to request individual accommodations.
Recordings made with permission are still subject to intellectual property rights and copyright, and students are responsible for ensuring that those rights are respected.
Options for level of usage
Instructors have flexibility for establishing the level of usage they will permit in class. It is advisable to establish the permissible circumstances early and explicitly, and to provide rationales.
Three main options exist:
Allowed under specified circumstances (choose from list as applicable)
Note that an open discussion with students about which circumstances mobile devices are permitted in can help create a sense of community and contribute to ensuring individual and collective supportive classroom experiences.
Mobile devices are permitted in class under the following circumstances:
As worked out by the class
When “No technology time” is not in effect
Only for the specified use (e.g., note taking, consulting online resources, survey responses)
In specific locations (e.g., right or left side of the room)
On a case-by-case basis:
Each individual student obtains permission
Certain events may be exceptions to the usage generally permitted (e.g., guest speaker)
Allowed as long as not disruptive
Disruptive to other students
Mobile devices are permitted in class insofar as their use does not disrupt the teaching and learning process. Note that disruptive behaviour is, to some extent, situationally defined. If the behaviour is persistent and prevents the instructor and/or other students from focusing on the class work, it is deemed to be disruptive.
Disruptive to the user
Mobile devices may contribute to cognitive distraction, especially when used for non-task related purposes. Even when not affecting others, instructors may feel that the distraction of using mobile devices outweighs their potential benefit and choose to limit their use.
Not allowed at all
Mobile devices are not permitted to be used in class without the explicit permission of the instructor. There are instructors who wish to establish the classroom as a place for personal interactions, not mediated by devices, and this is their prerogative.
Rationales for different levels of usage
Students are more likely to respect usage permissions if they are provided with a clear rationale.
There are three broad categories of rationales:
Respect
In support of individual and collective positive classroom experiences, there must be respect for fellow students and the instructor.
Respect is demonstrated by using mobile devices in professional and ethical ways, ensuring privacy and discretion. Students and instructors have a reasonable expectation of privacy in Canadian classrooms, which requires responsible behaviour from all.
Freedom from distraction
In support of individual and collective positive classroom experiences, there must be freedom from distraction for fellow students and the instructor.
In addition to the potential for distraction by seeing what is on others’ screens, instructors may wish to discuss with their students the potential for the students themselves to be distracted from class activities especially when engaging in non-class-related activities on their mobile devices.
Course design
The course design has intentionally been structured to allow or disallow the use of mobile devices in clearly identified ways. Courses are designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes and may intentionally include or restrict the use of different resources, including but not limited to mobile devices.
Handling non-compliance
When there are issues in class, instructors should make every effort to talk with the student(s) involved, either during class or afterwards; the rationale presented for the usage permissions may provide a useful context for this discussion.
If instructors are experiencing problematic behaviours in class, they are encouraged to discuss the issue with colleagues, the Department or unit director, an Associate Dean in their Faculty, the Dean of Students, or a member of Teaching and Academic Programs staff.
Depending on the circumstances, non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action pursuant to the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures.
Read More
Cvetković, K., Lazović, N., Krulj, J., Vidosavljević, M., & Kostić, J. O. (2025). The correlation between academic media multitasking and achievement-a meta-analysis. International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education, 13(1), 63-73.
Kennedy S. M. (2019). The Supreme Court of Canada rules on expectations of privacy in schools. Harris and Company LLC.
Martin, F., Long, S., Haywood, K., & Xie, K. (2025). Digital distractions in education: A systematic review of research on causes, consequences and prevention strategies. Educational Technology Research and Development: A Bi-Monthly Publication of the Association for Educational Communications & Technology, 73(6), 3423-3451. https://mcgill.on.worldcat.org/oclc/10939086870
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