Back-to-School Night is a great time to learn how you can support teachers in their implementation of intentional tech use.
We’ve heard from some teachers that they have no alternatives to “brain break” videos, that they lack adequate printer paper (or a working printer) for analog curriculum, and that indoor recess without screens will be a nightmare.
Those comments likely mean teachers need additional support, and if you have the capacity, that’s where you can step into a helper role.
Practical questions to ask
How is technology used in the classroom?
[If your district has issued new tech guidance or policy] I’ve heard there is new guidance on technology this year. What does that mean for our classroom?
How can I help you? And what needs could I help raise to school leadership?
What supplies or assistance do you need to make a more paper-based classroom?
What do I need to do to help my child have the paper-based alternatives to [iReady or other] lessons?
Do you need more room parents? (You can ask your school librarian too!)
Are there particular paper books and other hands-on materials you would welcome in your classroom? How can we help with this?
What tech-enabled activities are valuable and helpful for your classroom?
If concerns come up this year, what’s a preferred way for families to share that, without overburdening you as teachers?
Practical ways to help
Volunteer to read in the classroom to the class or to a small group of students.
Organize parent volunteers to sign up to help or read in the classroom.
Offer to help with snack time.
Offer to help with indoor recess on a rainy day.
Talk to your kids about any concerns you have about screens in school and these changes, to explain any differences in their school experience this year.
Resources to start the conversation on tech in your school
PA Unplugged's guide on what to ask / action plan generator
Flyers / one-pagers for common questions and topics:
Many more flyer ideas can be found in this FairPlay resource bank
EdTech 101 deck (Schools Beyond Screens - Resources)
Template letter to a school principal (Emily Cherkin)
Books to share with school leadership
Books to read with your kids
Amazing Generation (Anxious Generation content, but for kids)
We encourage parents and caregivers to use your voices, and advocate for more support for our teachers as we all navigate the transition to a more intentional approach to technology. Our resources should be going to human support in our classrooms -- not ineffective and expensive tech contracts and devices.