Key Takeaways
- The Westport Public Schools district is conducting a screentime audit to determine the amount of screen time students are exposed to during and after school.
- The district aims to find a healthy balance between technology use and learning, with a focus on using technology to advance learning rather than for gratuitous reasons.
- The audit will include surveys, analysis of curriculum and instructional material, and focus groups to understand how technology is being used across grade levels and disciplines.
- The district is committed to using technology in a way that serves learning, wellbeing, and human connection, rather than dictating it.
- The use of technology in schools has increased significantly, with 99% of teachers reporting that their students use computer devices in class.
Introduction to Technology in Westport Public Schools
The Westport Public Schools district has implemented a phone-free initiative, but technology remains a significant part of the learning experience. Students use computers and other devices to access textbooks, assignments, and online resources, and the district is now seeking to understand the impact of this technology on learning. Board members are questioning whether the increasing use of technology is having a positive or negative effect on students, and are seeking to find a healthy balance between technology use and learning.
The Role of Technology in Teaching and Learning
The district is using technology to tailor instruction to individual students, and to provide access to online resources that can supplement traditional teaching methods. However, some board members are concerned that the increasing use of technology may be having a negative impact on students’ ability to focus and learn. The district’s superintendent, Thomas Scarice, has stated that the phone-free initiative was aimed at eliminating distractions in the classroom, rather than reducing screen time. The district is now seeking to understand how much screen time is occurring, and whether it is having a positive or negative impact on learning.
The Screentime Audit
The district has hired Hanover Research to conduct a screentime audit, which will include surveys of teachers and curriculum leaders, analysis of curriculum and instructional material, and focus groups with students and teachers. The audit aims to understand how technology is being used across grade levels and disciplines, and to identify areas where technology is being used unnecessarily or excessively. The district hopes to use the results of the audit to inform its technology policies and to ensure that technology is being used in a way that serves learning, wellbeing, and human connection.
The Importance of Balance
The district is seeking to find a healthy balance between technology use and learning, and to ensure that technology is not dictating the learning experience. The superintendent has stated that the district’s strategic direction is "learning first," rather than "digital first," and that the goal is to use technology in a way that advances learning, rather than for its own sake. The district is also committed to providing access to traditional learning materials, such as hard copy books and print materials, and to ensuring that students have the opportunity to engage in classroom discussions and other non-technical learning activities.
The Impact of Technology on Students
Some board members have expressed concerns about the impact of technology on students, particularly at the elementary and middle school levels. They have noted that students may not be able to set boundaries around their technology use, and that the district may need to provide additional support and guidance to help students use technology in a healthy and balanced way. The district’s technology director, Natalie Carrigan, has stated that the district is updating its Technology Plan to include more support for students and staff, and to help teachers use technology in a way that improves instructional design and personalizes instruction.
Conclusion
The Westport Public Schools district is taking a proactive approach to understanding the impact of technology on learning, and to finding a healthy balance between technology use and learning. The screentime audit is an important step in this process, and will provide valuable insights into how technology is being used across the district. By using technology in a way that serves learning, wellbeing, and human connection, the district hopes to provide students with a rich and engaging learning experience that prepares them for success in the digital age.