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CASLS is partnering with Professor Lisa Freinkel, special assistant to the provost, on the development of a mobile application that promotes digital mindfulness: intentional, reflective use toward and with digital technology.

“AnalogU is different than other digital mindfulness apps in that it prompts learners to notice how their devices affect their emotions and thoughts,” says Professor Freinkel. “After learners notice how they feel, they can decide to make different choices.”

The app, AnalogU, guides users through mindful awareness of their digital technology use by examining the most habitually deployed features in the digital realm, such as push notifications, color schemes, and liking/unliking behaviors.

This guided exploration occurs as learners teach a robot in the application what being human is like. In doing so, learners begin to explore their own emotions and reactions, and then learn how they could make more intentional choices.

The mobile app grew from Professor Freinkel’s co-curricular initiative she led as then-dean of the Division of Undergraduate Studies.

CASLS plans to complete development of the prototype this academic year and launch the app’s first iteration in the residence halls in fall 2018.