Evidence-led essays, explainers and editorial analysis from the ALTIUS library.
Losing focus is not proof that a student is lazy or unmotivated. Attention fluctuates, distraction competes for limited capacity, and the useful skill is often learning how to notice drift and return.
You can still care deeply about a goal and fail to make progress. Before assuming motivation has disappeared, ask whether attention, interruption or fatigue has made execution harder.
Digital systems do not need to damage the brain to affect performance. Frequent interruption, task switching and poorly designed environments are enough to change the conditions in which attention is used.