Imagine trying to prepare the next generation of humans with everything they’ll need to know in order to succeed in the world? It’s no easy task and probably three times as hard when you’re competing with little black screens that are addictive in their pursuit to for all your attention
Teaching in the 21st century can be quite the challenge.
That’s why 20 teachers at a Las Vegas high school are confiscating cell phones before students get settled into their classrooms. The cases magnetically lock and are kept safe and secure, but more importantly out of reach.
“Teacher’s number one complaint over the last two to three school years has been cell phones,” Principal Dr. John Anzalone told KTNV.
Tony Patelis says he’s known as being “psycho about cell phones” where he teaches at Newton North High School in Massachusets.
“It’s so ingrained,” he told NPR. ” The kids say ‘Forgive me, Mr. P. I can’t help myself.”
And the administration at Sierra Vista High School says that locking up cell phones during class time is having a positive effect on students.
“The engagement in the classroom went up,” Anzalone said. “I actually had several students come up to me and say, ‘Thank you because I haven’t focused in class like this in years.'”
Some students even said that they are showing some improvements in their grades. And the teachers love that don’t have to entertain so many distractions.
“They were constantly on your cell phones, they were texting, looking at videos, listening to music, just not doing anything they were supposed to be doing in class,” Spanish teacher Debbie Simon said.
The school uses a pouch system by Yondr, a patented system to create phone-free spaces for artists, educators, organizations, and individuals.
Anzalone hopes that all of the classrooms in his school will soon have Yondr systems.
“There’s a time and a place,” he says.
Students are allowed to have their phones in school and use them during their free time, like lunch or recess. Parents can still contact the school if they need to get in contact with their children. Some schools have also said that the reduced cell phone use can help lessen cyberbullying and is encouraging more conversations among students.
Yondr was founded by Graham Dugoni after being frustrated by people’s use of their cell phones during concerts. Now famous artists are using Yondr, as are people at weddings and bar mitzvah venues.
You can learn more about how Yondr works in schools in the video below.
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