NYU TeachTalk: Device-Free Classrooms to Cultivate Connection and Promote Presence

Photo credit: Rina Deshpande, 2026

I recently attended the NYU TeachTalk, Device-Free Classrooms to Cultivate Connection and Promote Presence. As I entered the NYU CTL Cornerstone, greeters directed us to sign in and enjoy NYU Teacher Appreciation Week refreshments and gifts, including pens and notebooks. There was an enjoyable hum of conversation. I introduced myself to the professor seated next to me.

“We are proud to host and welcome you to our first in-person TeachTalk. NYU CTL TeachTalks began during the pandemic and have since been remote offerings,” explained NYU Center for Teaching and Learning Assistant Director Anton Borst. 

TeachTalk moderator and NYU Stern Clinical Associate Professor, April Gu, cued attendees to put away mobile devices and highlighted the purpose of the talk: “Devices do not necessarily assist student learning because of distractions. In fact, over half of students admit to using their devices to surf in class.”

Professor Gu posed questions to the three esteemed panelists such as, “Why did you decide to make your class screen-free?” and “How do you engage students in this format?”

• Dr. Sergi Casanelles, NYU Steinhardt Clinical Assistant Professor of Music, explained that in the field of music education, student content knowledge and skills certainly matter in the job hiring process, but interpersonal skills are also critical to get hired and to function well on a team. He noticed that many of his students were distracted by their devices and even carried anxiety about interacting with one another in class or saying the “wrong” thing, especially if they worried about it being recorded. 

  
  

  Dr. Casanelles was emphatic about not recording class in order to create a safe space and encouraging students to find their personal voice. He also reduced his own technology use as the professor, such as reduced Powerpoint slides in class and showing the occasional movie to study a score.

• Dr. Elayne Oliphant, NYU Arts & Science Associate Professor, held up a spiral-bound packet of course readings and asked with a smile, “Remember these?” Dr. Oliphant teaches classes with up to forty students. For years, she attempted to set up students to actively participate online in NYU Brightspace. What she found was that student responses were minimal or AI generated; Discussion board prompts to write a reflection and respond to two other students perhaps forced impersonal replies.

  
  

  She was initially concerned that if she stopped using the LMS and technology, she was compromising an inclusive environment. Instead, she found that she is easily able to honor students’ academic accommodations and realized that by removing device reliance, students get to know each other better in live group work, critically think, and authentically talk with each as they cover very sensitive, important global topics in her course. She also saw a surge in friendships that carried on outside of the room.

  
  

  Dr. Oliphant articulated several concrete strategies for her device-free learning environment which she admitted might bring back college memories for many of us:

1. Print out the course readings. Bind them into a course packet for students to annotate in pen and with a highlighter.

2. Provide in-class blue books for handwritten writing assignments. If students bring their printed course readings and written notes, they are welcome to use them as open book supports.

3. Conduct class without a slide deck. Consider using the whiteboard or chalkboard instead. Upload slide decks to NYU Brightspace after class for students to review.

4. Offer field assignments, such as attending an in-person course-related event. Require students to complete the assignment by attending with a friend or classmate in person, interviewing them, and including their partner’s anonymous reflections in a comprehensive writeup.

• Dr. Dana Burde, NYU Steinhardt Associate Professor and Director of International Education, has been teaching device-free courses for the last ten years and is always looking to improve her teaching. She turned to Dr. Oliphant to thank her for some of her ideas, which she has already adapted and applied in her own courses.

  
  

  Dr. Burde shared the importance of talking with students about why a no-screens approach can help bolster their learning and bring human connection at the start of the course. “I show them the data. I bring them readings. And we talk about the cost and benefit of having devices present in learning environments.” While some students occasionally might communicate they wish they had their device to ask it to help them think or do research, her course evaluations largely show that students feel grateful to be pushed to think and share their unique thoughts. They also express their value for getting to know fellow students closely, becoming lifelong friends and future industry colleagues someday.

• April Gu, TeachTalk moderator and NYU Stern Clinical Associate Professor, added her contextual considerations. “I teach a mandatory course, and that can change student receptivity to device-free learning.” 

  
  

  I personally thought this was a great point, and it underscored Dr. Burde’s emphasis on setting the tone for the “why” with students. For device-free learning to work in a required course which might not be a student’s first choice, professors can engage students in discussion about the ease and challenges of freedom from devices in the classroom, perhaps by using surveys (NYU login required) to take student insights into consideration along the way.

Each TeachTalk panelist encouraged participants to adapt and apply these strategies to their own classrooms. I am personally inspired to blend approaches and think of creative solutions for the context of hybrid courses. 

Beyond the useful takeaway of my handwritten notes for teaching and learning without devices, I enjoyed getting to know a colleague I likely wouldn’t have met in a remote session. She even offered me half of her cookie. Perhaps we’ll grow to be friends.

Learn more about upcoming TeachTalks hosted by the NYU Center for Teaching and Learning here.