2025-09 Distraction Free Learning Environments Blog

We all know how easy it is for learners to lose focus: ads, notifications, and other interruptions can pull attention away and leave a lasting “distraction wake.” This isn’t just a quick moment of lost time! Research shows the real cost comes after the interruption, when the brain struggles to re-engage. Because our working memory can only hold so much, a simple distraction can spark tangents, slow progress, and make it harder for learners to “get all the balls back in the air again.” That’s why creating distraction-free learning environments is so powerful. If you’ve found ways to minimize distractions (whether through creative teaching strategies, school policies, or tools like Canvas Studio) we’d love to feature your experience in the Instructure Community. This is your chance to: Share a story that inspires other educators Highlight how you’ve tackled distractions in learning Show how your approach helped students stay engaged Here are a few guiding questions to get you started: What’s the most common source of distraction you’ve seen your students face? How did you address it—and what changed as a result? Have tools like Studio (especially YouTube’s distraction-free playback) helped you create a more focused learning environment? What advice would you share with other educators trying to cut down on distractions? 💡 Think your experience could help others? Let’s share it! Share a link to your draft, and someone from Instructure will connect with you to bring it to life as a featured blog post in the Community!