New app will force students not to take out their phones during classes

March 20, 2015. (5:00pm) Many students find it quite difficult to overcome the urge to reach for their phone during lectures. And they get distracted by various apps, email, blog comments and more. But two students at the University of Chico (California) have created an app called Pocket Points that just might help keep their phones in their pockets. The app aims to reward students who leave their phones untouched during class.

Rob Richardson, the young scientist who came up with the idea for the app, says that looking at his class, he saw almost all the students sitting with their heads down, paying attention only to their phones and not listening to the teacher at all.

This is how it works: students purchase points based on how long they keep their phones locked. These points can be used for bonuses and discounts at local institutions. For now, the app only works on campus. But developers soon plan to roll out the app to other campuses, as well as to some local colleges and universities.

Professors have been among the biggest supporters of the app, Richardson said. Some have expressed interest, and have offered to reward their students with extra points for attending classes.

Pocket Point is currently focused on education, but its creators are thinking about rolling it out to the business world as well.

Source: chronicle.com