How do you deal with students and their phones in class?

Students are obviously using their devices in class, and sometimes even to assist and engage with learning and the instructors. I’m curious how we should approach discussing and streamlining device use in our classrooms, and creating an environment that accepts the reality of the ubiquity of these devices but also acknowledges optimal and fair use strategies. This time-out will center on student perceptions and a few practical suggestions for how to approach off-task device use in your classrooms.

Ruppel et al 2023: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/87567555.2023.2233106

Stowell et al 2018: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/87567555.2018.1437533

Deng et al  (2022): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/87567555.2021.1973947

Petranek and Gallegos (2024): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/87567555.2023.2183377

Andrade (2025): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/87567555.2023.2245526

Karlins (2022): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/87567555.2021.1985423