College students at Media City's University Technical College recently took part in a project where they had to give up their smartphones and use basic Nokia handsets instead. The project was organized by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Bitesize to see how much young people rely on their smartphones. During the project, the students could only communicate through calls and text messages.

The students had different experiences without their smartphones. Some found it hard to get used to the limited features of the basic Nokia handsets, while others enjoyed taking a break from constant notifications and distractions. Many students said they felt more focused and present without their smartphones, and some even discovered new hobbies and interests during the project.

The project showed how much smartphones affect young people's lives, like their social interactions, mental health, and productivity. It also got people talking about finding a good balance between using technology and living in the real world. The students realized that they can still stay connected and engaged without relying too much on smartphones.

Overall, the project gave us important information about how smartphones affect college students. It made them think about their habits and how technology fits into their lives. While smartphones have lots of benefits, the project reminded the students that it's important to take breaks and be fully present in the moment.

Original news source: College students on life without a smartphone (BBC)

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Each pair will read the article and then summarize it in their own words in 3-4 sentences. Afterward, pairs will take turns sharing their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Have the class create a survey with questions related to the article, such as "Do you think college students rely too much on smartphones?" or "Have you ever taken a break from using your smartphone?". Students can then walk around the class, interviewing their classmates and recording their responses. Afterward, they will share their findings with the class.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word "smartphone" on the board and ask students to brainstorm as many words or phrases related to the article as they can in 2 minutes. Afterward, go around the class and have each student share one word or phrase they came up with, explaining how it relates to the article.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will choose one scene or concept from the article and create a quick sketch to represent it. Afterward, groups will present their sketches to the class and explain their choices.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to take a moment to think about their own smartphone usage and how it affects their lives. Then, have them pair up with a partner and discuss their thoughts and experiences. Finally, open the discussion to the whole class and have a few students share their reflections.

? students at Media City's University Technical College recently took part in a project where they had to give up their ? and use basic Nokia handsets instead. The project was organized by BBC ? 5 Live and BBC Bitesize to see how much ? people rely on their smartphones. During the project, the students could only communicate through calls and text messages. The students had different experiences without their smartphones. Some ? it hard to get used to the ? features of the basic Nokia handsets, while others ? taking a break from constant ? and distractions. Many students said they felt more focused and present without their smartphones, and some even discovered new hobbies and interests during the project. The project showed how much smartphones affect young people's lives, like their social ?, mental health, and productivity. It also got people talking about finding a good balance between using technology and ? in the real world. The students ? that they can still stay ? and engaged without relying too much on smartphones. Overall, the project gave us ? information about how smartphones affect college students. It made them ? about their habits and how ? fits into their ?. While smartphones have lots of benefits, the project reminded the students that it's important to take breaks and be fully present in the moment.

1. What is a smartphone and how do you use it in your daily life?
2. How would you feel if you had to give up your smartphone for a week? Why?
3. Do you think young people rely too much on their smartphones? Why or why not?
4. How do smartphones affect social interactions among young people?
5. What are some benefits of using smartphones? Can you think of any drawbacks?
6. Do you think smartphones have a positive or negative impact on mental health? Why or why not?
7. How did the students in the article feel when they had to use basic Nokia handsets instead of smartphones? Why?
8. Have you ever taken a break from using your smartphone? How did it make you feel?
9. What are some hobbies or interests that you could discover if you didn't have a smartphone?
10. How do you find a good balance between using technology and living in the real world?
11. Do you think it's important to take breaks from using smartphones? Why or why not?
12. What are some ways to stay connected and engaged without relying too much on smartphones?
13. How do you think smartphones affect college students' productivity?
14. Have you ever thought about your smartphone habits and how they fit into your life? What did you realize?
15. Why do you think it's important to be fully present in the moment, even with smartphones around?

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