Make attention
What is it?
Resistor Case is a DIY pouch with a Velcro enclosure that helps you use your smartphone more responsibly. It’s made with carefully selected materials, and backed by research that has been tested in multiple studies and workshops.
Why do I need it?
Be present
In the classroom and at the dinner table. Behind the wheel and at the meeting. Focus your attention where it needs to be. Rather than putting your smartphone on lockdown, Resistor Case simply makes you think twice. The design is based on research in cognitive psychology and media theory, and it has been tested in multiple experiments and workshops.
Be crafty
Hammer not included. Resistor Case immerses you in a maker project, giving you time to think with your hands. The kit includes a set of critical thinking prompts that turn the case into an object-to-think-with. Be proud of your thinkering, and share it with others. You might end up putting that hammer to more use.
Be careful
And tread lightly. This case contains water bottles from Haiti. The fabric was manufactured by Thread International, an eco-conscious company that promotes responsible design. Use Resistor Case to start a conversation about recycling, upcycling and e-waste. Maybe you can convince someone to think twice before they upgrade that smartphone.
Case studies
Share your Resistor Case stories and designs.
Would you believe the first prototype for Resistor Case started with vinyl, duct tape, and 500 Grade 8 students? Send us your own RC story, and we’ll post it here.
In February of 2018, 250 students made Resistor Cases at St. Mary’s High School in Kitchener, Ontario.
Downloads
“Since implementing the resistor cases in the last two MSSA summer sessions, we’ve seen a marked improvement in student attentiveness and engagement during lectures and lab activities. Even our student mentors and peer leaders have reported changes in their phone usage habits. We are extremely pleased with the positive outcomes and highly endorse the use of resistor cases for managing phone distractions in educational settings.”
Irasema Coronado
Director & Professor, School of Transborder Studies, Arizona State University
“Our program has been using cases to limit student cell phone access for 2 years now but only recently switched to the Resistor Case. The buy-in from our students has been great. They enjoyed being a part of the process of making their own pouch and they appreciate that the Resistor Case helps them to govern their usage rather than restrict it. It’s led to great conversations about ‘screen-time’ and has created a more tight-knit environment since the staff use Resistor Cases, too.”
Matt Fraser
Lead Teacher, UTurn Waterloo
How do I get one?
Resistor Case is a grassroots project dedicated to helping people use their devices more carefully. The kit includes everything you need to make a single case, except for a hammer. Group kits are available for classroom instruction and team building. We also offer interactive workshops and guest lectures.
We hand pack each kit and walk it to the post office. Communicate your needs to us, and we will do our best to meet them.
Thank you for your response. ✨
Resistor Case 