Theory-driven design and validation of a tool to enhance academic focus

Abstract Drawing on 11 evidence-based design principles, we developed a digital tool for training attention during academic activities. Two naturalistic, single-group pre-post studies—including a pre-registered direct replication—evaluated the impact of this tool on the attentional focus of adolescents across multiple public schools (Study 1: N = 322; Study 2: N = 695). Students used the tool during independent work, and focus was assessed through real-time check-ins during tool use as well as pre- and post-intervention surveys. Students’ real-time focus improved within individual sessions and cumulatively across multiple sessions, with sensitivity analyses revealing that improvements emerged early and continued over time. Across-session gains extended to students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, though within-session gains did not. Students also reported improved overall focus during class and independent assignments, with the largest gains among students who completed the most sessions. These findings demonstrate the viability of a scalable, curriculum-agnostic approach to training attention in schools and underscore the value of theory-driven intervention design.