Cell phone-free classrooms boost learning and engagement
by Trinity Gruenberg
Minnesota’s state-mandated policy for cell phone bans in schools requires school districts to adopt a cell phone policy by March 15, 2025.
Many schools had plans already in effect, and school boards enacted policies before the start of the school year to get students to focus on school and socialize without devices.
“In the past, in psychology class, they [the students] recorded every single time they got a notification on their phone to show how many notifications they received during class time. Every time that phone goes off, it distracts their learning and focus. And I know there were 30 plus notifications on several phones during that experiment,” explained Verndale Principal Katie Bolland.
Many students were hesitant about the restrictions on cell phone usage in school, including other devices such as smartwatches and MP3 players....