One year after Texas restricted cellphone use in schools, Wylie ISD students are finding creative ways to document their senior year. As part of the Student Camera Project, 40 seniors were given disposable cameras to capture moments that mattered most to them.

A Novel Approach

The project was launched by the district as a way for students to capture memories without relying on cellphones in the classroom. Superintendent Dr. Kim Spicer said the resulting photographs showed that despite changes in technology, the student experience remains remarkably familiar.

Students like Brooke Bickley and Will Doty used their cameras to capture a range of moments, from classroom achievements to athletic events. Bickley said the project helped her to be more social and meet new people, while Doty appreciated the opportunity to focus on his basketball season.

Benefits Beyond Compliance

The cellphone restrictions have also had benefits beyond compliance, with students and staff reporting increased productivity and improved social interactions. Spicer acknowledged that she initially worried about the challenges of policing devices, but the district has recorded fewer than one violation per student.

The Student Camera Project has been a success, with students enjoying the opportunity to capture their memories in a novel way. As Spicer noted, the photographs show that school isn’t really that different from years past, and the student experience remains a timeless and universal one.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.