• My NYU students and I have a deal – they turn their phones and devices off during each one hour and forty-minute class to focus on discussions and I allow them to leave the room (without dirty looks or any form of chastisement) to check their messages if they like during class.
• The majority stay seated, perhaps 20% at most check their phones or use the bathrooms.
• And when I asked them this past week how difficult it is to sit there and not look at their phones, the typical response was they liked it.
• People know too much connectivity breeds distraction so the way to win the battle is to make phone use a win-win.