Agenda Item
b. Enhancing Student Engagement: Implementing Yondr Cellphone Pouches In Schools (Not to exceed $400,000) ~ Updated 7.7.2024
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Darnell T. Logan, Director, Student Relations, Division of Wrap Around Services
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the purchase of Yondr cellphone pouches to be implemented in 10 pilot schools for the 2024-25 school year (12,916 students plus 15% buffer for 14,853 students). This request is aligned to Strategic Goal Area 4, Culture and Climate for an amount not to exceed $400,000.
Why: In the age of digital distractions, managing cell phone usage in educational settings has become increasingly challenging. The rise of smartphone dependency among students can negatively impact their academic performance, social interactions, behavior, and mental health. To address these issues, DCSD would propose a pilot program to implement the Yondr cellphone pouch system in 10 schools (5 middle schools and 5 high schools) across the school district.
Details: Yondr cellphone pouches are innovative tools designed to create phone-free spaces, particularly in educational environments. These pouches securely lock cellphones away, allowing students to focus on their activities without the distractions and disruptions caused by mobile devices. The pouches are simple yet effective, using a secure locking mechanism that requires a designated unlocking base to access the phone again. This system has been successfully implemented in various schools across the country, showing positive results in reducing distractions, decreasing behavior concerns, improving academic performance, and fostering a better learning environment.
Financial impact: The total cost to implement the Yondr cellphone pouch program shall not exceed $400,000 and will be paid with funds from the Expendable Computer Equipment and Purchased Professional and Technical Services accounts.
Contact: Dr. Kishia Towns, Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678-676-1918
Dr. Darnell T. Logan, Director, Student Relations, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678-676-1811
Status: Approved by General Counsel.
Enhancing Student Engagement:
Implementing Cellphone Pouches in
Schools
June 2024
The Challenge
In today's digital age, smartphones have become omnipresent, posing a
significant challenge to classroom engagement and academic performance.
The constant temptation to check notifications, text messages, and social
media platforms disrupts learning environments and impedes student
concentration.
Introduction
• Understanding the negative impact of cellphone usage on
children during school hours.
• Introducing Yondr as a solution to manage cellphone usage and
enhance the learning environment.
Distractions From Learning
• Reduced Attention: Research shows that students who use their
phones during class have lower levels of attention and engagement
(source: Journal of Educational Psychology, 2018).
• Lower Academic Performance: A study found a significant correlation
between in-class cellphone use and lower academic performance
(source: Computers in Human Behavior, 2015).
• Interruptions: Notifications and messages cause frequent interruptions,
disrupting the flow of learning (source: Journal of Experimental
Psychology, 2014).
Baseline Data Collection Information
• School: Southwest DeKalb High School
• Two Classroom Observations
Ø Classroom #1: Spanish
Ø 10th & 11th Graders/24 Students
Ø Classroom #2: ELA
Ø 10th Grade/25 Students
Ø Total of 49 Students
• Data Collection Duration: 30-minutes Per Class
Classroom #1 Cell Phone Usage Data
Spanish 1/10th & 11th Graders
24 Students/30-minutes Data Collection
350
300
319
250
200
151
150
100
41 22 34
50
0
Text Messages
Text Messages EmailsEmail Gaming
Gaming Social Media
Social Media Calls
Calls
567 Notifications
Classroom #2 Cell Phone Usage Data
ELA/10th Graders
25 Students/30-minutes Data Collection
350
257
300
250
200
139
150
100
13 2
2
50
0
Text Messages Emails Gaming Social Media Calls
Text Messages Email Gaming Social Media Calls
413 Notifications
Impact on Social Skills
• Limited Face-to-Face Interaction: Excessive cellphone use reduces opportunities for
direct communication, impairing social skill development (source: Developmental
Psychology, 2017).
• Weaker Social Bonds: Over-reliance on digital communication can weaken
relationships with peers (source: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2016).
• Impaired Social Development: Lack of direct interaction hinders the development
of essential social skills (source: American Journal of Public Health, 2018).
The Surgeon General Warns That Social Media
May Harm Children and Adolescents
The report by Dr. Vivek Murthy cited a “profound risk of
harm” to adolescent mental health and urged families to set
limits and governments to set tougher standards for use.
New York Times, May 23, 2023
Mental Health Concerns
• Increased Anxiety: Constant connectivity and social media exposure can heighten
anxiety and stress levels (source: Clinical Psychological Science, 2019).
• Cyberbullying: Cellphones can facilitate cyberbullying, which significantly impacts
emotional and psychological well-being (source: Journal of Adolescent Health,
2015).
• Sleep Disruption: Late-night phone use negatively affects sleep patterns, leading
to fatigue and reduced academic performance (source: Sleep Medicine, 2016).
Physical Health Issues
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Excessive screen time promotes a sedentary lifestyle,
contributing to obesity and related health problems (source: Pediatrics, 2017).
• Eye Strain: Prolonged use of screens can cause eye strain and discomfort (source:
American Journal of Ophthalmology, 2015).
• Poor Posture: Extended phone usage can lead to poor posture and related
musculoskeletal issues (source: Applied Ergonomics, 2016).
Academic Integrity
• Cheating: Easy access to information on cellphones can tempt students to cheat
during exams and assignments (source: Ethics & Behavior, 2018).
• Fairness: Ensuring academic integrity is crucial for a fair and just educational
environment (source: Educational Research Review, 2019).
Introducing Yondr
Yondr offers a solution by providing patented cellphone
pouches designed to create phone-free spaces.
These pouches are easy to use, secure, and ensure that
students retain possession of their devices while
restricting access during specified times.
How Yondr Works
Phone Placement: Students place their phones in the Yondr
pouch at the beginning of the school day.
Locking: The pouch is locked, and students keep the pouch
with them.
Unlocking: At designated times or at the end of the school
day, pouches are unlocked using the base station.
Benefits in Schools
Promotes Classroom Focus: Eliminates distractions and fosters a conducive
learning environment.
Improves Academic Performance: Reduces interruptions, leading to enhanced
comprehension and retention of course material.
Encourages Social Interaction: Facilitates face-to-face communication and
collaboration among students.
Enhances Safety: Minimizes the risk of cyberbullying, inappropriate content
exposure, and classroom disruptions.
Addressing Concerns
Acknowledge common concerns such as emergency communication, parental
contact, and access to educational apps.
Provide reassurance by outlining protocols for emergency situations and
alternative communication channels.
Emphasize the flexibility of Yondr, allowing educators to customize usage
policies based on specific needs and circumstances.
Implementation Strategies
Collaborate with school administrators, teachers, and parents to develop
comprehensive guidelines and protocols for implementing Yondr.
Conduct training sessions to familiarize staff, students, and parents with the
proper use and benefits of Yondr.
Establish clear communication channels to address questions, feedback,
and concerns throughout the implementation process.
Key Insights
Integrating cellphone pouches into school environments offers a proactive
approach to managing cellphone distractions and promoting student
engagement.
By creating phone-free spaces, schools can cultivate focused learning
environments conducive to academic success and holistic student development.
Pilot Schools
Middle Schools High Schools
Salem MS Martin Luther King, Jr., HS
Henderson MS Lakeside HS
Sequoyah MS Cross Keys HS
Lithonia MS Lithonia HS
Tucker MS Tucker HS