What's life like without phones?

As the School explores the feasibility going phone free during the academic day next year, the leadership team selected two days this spring to trial a phone-free Dublin. In conversations with peer schools who have already made this transition, Dublin leadership has learnt that eliminating phones during the academic day has led to incredible learning and experiential outcomes for students, corroborating a growing body of research that suggests the same. 

In early April, students turned in their phones before Morning Meeting, went the whole academic day without, and returned after the final class block to collect their devices. Afterwards, the leadership team sent a survey soliciting feedback. Students and faculty alike were asked to weigh in on the experience, reflect on what went well, what could have gone differently, and share any additional thoughts about the initiative. 

Survey respondents spoke to some clear advantages to being phone free for the day, noting that they were more engaged with their class work, an improvement in both the quantity and quality of social interaction, and that free time was used more productively. 

The day was not without its difficulties, however. Challenges coordinating with friends during free blocks, trouble accessing the LMS, lack of a time-keeping method, and boredom were all flagged as contributing to making the day difficult. Generally speaking, the loss of convenience was not appreciated.

This past Thursday marked the second phone-free day of the spring. Stay tuned for more reflections.