Schools increasingly use educational technology, such as laptop computers, as tools to enhance learning. However, the introduction of educational technology in the classroom can also interfere with the learning process by distracting students through multitasking. Multitasking, or switching back and forth between two different tasks, distracts the brain because of its limited processing capacity, resulting in decreased cognitive outcomes. In an educational setting, students who multitask demonstrate poorer learning and have worse academic achievement. Therefore, the use of educational technology in the classroom can have a significant drawback to learning if the device becomes a distraction. Prior multitasking research has almost exclusively focused on students in a university setting, but educational technology is often used by younger students. The growing popularity of one-to-one device programs in middle schools and high schools mean that many adolescents use educational technology on a regular basis. The multitasking behavior of adolescents and its impact on their learning is not well understood, so it is important for secondary schools to learn more and be able to guide adolescent students to use educational technology effectively. The findings of this study demonstrate differences between the beliefs and behaviors of sixth grade students who frequently multitask on their school laptop computer and students who rarely multitask. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study gathers in-depth evidence of how these students have different beliefs about multitasking and their self-efficacy, and also use different strategies to try to avoid distractions from multitasking. By better understanding how adolescent students successfully focus using educational technology, secondary schools will be better able to guide students to develop productive habits and intervene when digital distraction occurs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]