Funneling a steady stream of diversions straight to your
pocket, smartphones are often cast as the ultimate distractors. But a
University of Michigan engineering professor sees potential for them to be
something quite the opposite.
What if they could act as mentors in mindfulness, helping
users stay attentive in order to achieve particular goals?
That's the challenge Jasprit Singh, a professor of
electrical engineering and computer science, put before students this semester.
In a course called "Imagine, Innovate, Act!" students from
engineering, art, music, health fields and a variety of other backgrounds
designed mobile apps to help users set and meet wellness milestones. The
definition of "wellness" was broad, encompassing creativity and
learning in addition to physical and mental health.