Latest Issue of the MindBrainEd Think Tank + (ISSN 2434-1002) 1 MindBrained Bulletin Think Tank Sleep Jan 2018 | Page 8

As a teacher today, I see first hand the level of disruption, anxiety, and exhaustion these devices
cause. Our world has adapted to rely on cell phone technology and it is, therefore, necessary to make
a conscious effort to determine which aspect of our smartphones we feel are beneficial and which we
feel are detrimental to our ability to educate.
After what seemed like a daunting task I quickly set out and found ways to use this same technology
to curb overindulgence. Ironically, I downloaded an app called Moment which helps me track how
often I check my smartphone and for how long I use it during the day. It contains many useful
features to set goals and send reminders for when its time to disconnect from my device. Next, I kept
a diary every day noting how my use fluctuated, most importantly I created a pact stating my goals
and ambitions for prolonged reduction for cell phone usage. At first, I must admit, I was more anxious
with less cell phone usage and checked my cell phone more often than usual. One way I helped
distract myself was through extracurricular activities, hobbies, and extra sleep.
Smartphone applications are a great way for teachers to
introduce ideas and lifestyle habits in formats that they are
Smartphones combatting
already accustomed to using. There are many apps that are
great for what we now call smartphone addiction, which may addiction and sleep
seem funny at first but is actually a growing epidemic. One
deprivation?
app called Flipd is actually designed for more severe cases
in which users set a time to disconnect and once undertaken Wait a minute? What?
there's no going back until your time has expired.
Integrating applications into student learning along with
other healthy technology tools can be used in various ways to instill healthy habits. One way you can
experiment is by turning this into a small class competition and rewarding healthy behaviour with
extra credit and recognition.
Within the first week of changing my cell phone habits, I noted which techniques worked for me and
which did not. This helped me to think of ways that these techniques can be applied similarly in the
classroom. For instance, asking students to write down using pen and paper a personal contract centred
on limiting cell phone usage. The contract should include one or two extracurricular activities of the
student’s choice. At the end of each week, students can document how the extracurricular activity
affected their lifestyle. Perhaps a student takes up tennis and sees a change in sleep patterns. Maybe a
student takes up painting after school and notes their level of stress from day to day. Offering students
that chance to experience reduced cell phone usage through real-life tangible experiences will allow
them to see first-hand how abundant cell phone usage can negatively affect their lives. Additionally,
showing students how reduced cell phone usage can have positive effects on their lives will be just as
important. Reducing stress and being focused on tasks at hand through reduced cell phone usage can
encourage good sleep hygiene and result in overall health and well-being.
I believe a healthy approach to this problem is to teach our students about life without the smartphone
and teach them all the wonderfully creative and unhinged joys that comes with an untethered mind
and healthy wellbeing. Teachers are in a unique position to open new doors for their students and one
of the key doors is understanding our evolution and the value of the human mind, being present,
mindful and creative that have ultimately lead to our technological innovations of the past including
our smartphones. Once we can show the students along with ourselves the value of disconnecting
regularly from our smartphones we will be able to solve these challenges.