Facing the growing attention crisis in higher education – learnings from an action research-based study on Swiss business students
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2025
Typ of student thesis
Course of study
Collections
Type
04B - Conference paper
Editor (Corporation)
Supervisor
Parent work
11th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’25)
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
Series
Series number
Volume
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
165-172
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
Universitat Politècnica de València
Place of publication / Event location
Valencia
Edition
Version
Programming language
Assignee
Practice partner / Client
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a study investigating the impact of a focus- and attention-based learning intervention on the ability of higher education students to concentrate in several dimensions. The intervention, which was implemented with four bachelor classes at a Swiss university, combined instructional materials, a playbook, and reflection practices. An action research approach was used to collect quantitative data through pre- and post-semester surveys and qualitative insights through structured focus interviews. Results showed significant improvements in students’ concentration, reduced fear of missing out, and decreased dependence on smartphone. Students reported increased self-awareness and perceived benefits to their academic and personal lives. The study highlights the potential of targeted interventions to address the ‘attention crisis’ in digitalized learning environments and underlines the need for interdisciplinary research and institutional dialogue to promote media literacy and self-regulation in higher education.
Keywords
Subject (DDC)
Event
International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd)
Exhibition start date
Exhibition end date
Conference start date
17.06.2025
Conference end date
20.06.2025
Date of the last check
ISBN
978-84-1396-312-9
ISSN
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Diamond
License
Citation
Sitte, M., Hunn, E., Krebs, M., & Kuhn, C. (2025). Facing the growing attention crisis in higher education – learnings from an action research-based study on Swiss business students. In J. Domenech, D. M. Álvarez-Hevia, A. Martínez-Varea, & D. Brunetto (Eds.), 11th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’25) (pp. 165–172). Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/head25.2025.19936