smart devices
TroutMan vs. TroutWoman: Connected for a reason
The 2025-2026 school year is starting across the nation, but in Missouri there was a new law passed that, to me, feels like a step back to the 1990s and early 2000s.
TroutMan vs. TroutWoman: No device, no opportunity
Students starting school next week in Barry County may feel like they have been trapped in the Stone Age.
Eyes up, devices down
All six superintendents of schools in Barry County say Missouri’s new law banning cell phones during school hours reinforces efforts they have already made to limit distractions and improve engagement.
Kyle Troutman: Part IV — The new normal
Pinpointing a problem is easy, but finding a solution — not as much. After the Cassville school district held a screening of the documentary “Childhood 2.0” recently, attendees were asked to complete a survey to help organizer understand what people liked and disliked about the unique event.
Kyle Troutman: Part III — The new normal
How much time a day do you spend on a smart device? This question was posed to grade 6-12 Cassville students in a voluntary poll recently, receiving more than 350 responses. According to the results, 20% of students are on a device more than 6 hours a day, 31.9% are at 4-6 hours, 34.6% are at 2-4 hours and only 13.5% are under 2 hours.
