Skip to main content

Clever App Will Finally Get Students to Stop Using Cell Phones in Class

Or just hide under your chair. They won't know that you're there!

zach-morris-phone-300x225

College kids finally have a reason to pay attention in class instead of checking their phones that’s a lot more convincing than “college is incredibly expensive”: free food!

Recommended Videos

And other stuff, but the food’s probably enough on its own. The bonuses come by way of an app called Pocket Points, which recognizes when students are in class and earns them points when they go for a length of class time without unlocking the phone. The points can then be redeemed in campus shops and local businesses for discounts.

The app was first developed by a student at California State University, Chico, who then teamed up with Penn State student Emily Turner to develop a version for use on her own campus. 1 point is earned for every 20 minutes a student goes without indulging their Internet addiction, though points add up faster the more students are using the app to encourage everyone to get involved.

The app will soon launch at more schools around the country, and students will learn what it was like in the before-times when we just passed notes or played paper football to pass the time. Or maybe they’ll learn something. Anything could happen.

(via Kotaku)

Are you following The Mary Sue on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, & Google +?

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

Author
Dan Van Winkle
Dan Van Winkle (he) is an editor and manager who has been working in digital media since 2013, first at now-defunct <em>Geekosystem</em> (RIP), and then at <em>The Mary Sue</em> starting in 2014, specializing in gaming, science, and technology. Outside of his professional experience, he has been active in video game modding and development as a hobby for many years. He lives in North Carolina with Lisa Brown (his wife) and Liz Lemon (their dog), both of whom are the best, and you will regret challenging him at <em>Smash Bros.</em>

Filed Under:

Follow The Mary Sue: