David,
A couple of ideas: Pair weaker with stronger students and then engage the class in a discussion; Assign 5 or 6 small groups to work together on a poster board or flip chart, intended for discussion with other class members. Students get distracted because they are not prepared, ill, bored, don't understand, or preoccupied. If an instructor can determine what the distraction may be, they will have a better idea on how to correct it.
Barry Westling
