Across the country, many schools are implementing policies that ban cell phones in the classroom in an effort to reduce distractions and improve learning.(1) This approach is driven by research and we fully support this. However, this action step alone will not automatically equate to improved learning and improved attentional focus. New learning can only take place when someone’s nervous system is calm. If someone is anxious, overwhelmed, distracted or triggered, new learning will not take place nor will someone be able to accurately recall information they have studied, which is what happens when someone has test anxiety or experiences stage fright.
A Common Sense Approach to Supporting Students
I think most of us would admit and overreliance, perhaps even a dependency on our phones. For some students who may experience heightened anxiety with the removal of their phone, having a resource they can use to help calm their overactive nervous system, will support the larger goal of improved academic performance.
When students are calm and focused, they are better prepared to learn—which is exactly the environment schools are working so hard to create. The missing piece has been and continues to be providing a resource that the student can have “with” them to use whenever needed that promotes self regulation . Bilateral stimulation has been proven to automatically calm the fight/flight response. The tappers do the bilateral tapping for you, so the student can focus on the task at hand. Sitting in a heightened state of stress negatively impacts a students ability to learn. Allowing a student to use the tappers in the classroom, gives them a resource they can use anytime they feel anxious, overwhelmed, stressed or triggered, helping them automatically shift back to their optimal level of functioning. Students don’t want to stay in an anxious state. Once they experience how simple the tappers are to use and how effective the tappers are at dialing down anxiety, they regularly ask for them because they know the tappers help them feel calmer and more focused.
Each student is able to customize the settings of the tapping on the Bi-Tapp app. They choose the rate of speed and the intensity of the tapping that is calming to them. Next, they choose whether they want to wear the tappers on their wrists, place them in their pockets or in their socks. They are getting the benefit of a real time resource that is helping them stay in the classroom as an engaged learner. If a student is self conscious, they could put the tappers in the pockets or socks and get the benefit of the bilateral tapping without drawing any unwanted attention to themselves. The tappers remember the last settings chosen on the app so the student doesn’t have to have their phone out to work the tappers, they can work independent of their phones.
Why aren’t traditional coping skills enough?
There has been a major focus on helping students improve in their ability to regulate their emotions to help reduce the tidal wave of anxiety that so many are experiencing. Coping skills are useful and important. The only problem is, when someone is highly anxious or distressed, the thinking part of their brain is no longer in the driver’s seat. If the fight/flight system remains activated, you will not be able to remember the coping skills you have been taught, such as taking a deep breath. At lower levels of stress/anxiety, you will be able to utilize the coping skills you have learned to help you return to baseline or your optimal level of functioning.
Bi-Tapp is the solution to help “automatically” reduce the stress, anxiety and frustration that someone is experiencing. Once the person feels calmer, “then” they will be better able to use the other coping skills they have been taught.
Creating a Supportive Learning Environment
Banning cell phones in schools is aimed at reducing distractions, which is critical because research shows that people’s attention span on any screen in recent years is about forty-seven seconds. (2) In addition to removing distractions in the classroom to improve academic growth, students also need regulated nervous systems. This is the focus of Bi-Tapp. The tappers are already being used by all ages, from preschool aged kids to university level students. The result of a regulated nervous system is improved attentional focus and improved academic outcomes. Our goal is to help all students thrive both in and out of the classroom.
- Haidt, Jonathan. The Anxious Generation. (2024) Penguin Press, New York.
- Mark, Gloria, PhD. Attention Span. A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity. (2023) Hanover Square Press, Canada.
Additional Reading
Would you like to learn more about this topic? Here are some articles we suggest:
