Page: Resources
Teachers Over Tech Companies
Research increasingly raises concerns about excessive or poorly designed technology use in educational settings, including effects on attention, learning, memory, social interaction, and student development.
At the same time, research supports the value of handwriting, print-based reading, discussion, direct human interaction, and other active, multi-sensory approaches to learning.
Our goal isn’t to eliminate technology from schools. It’s to ensure that technology serves education - not the other way around.
Follow the money to reveal that EdTech companies are funded by Big Tech - "EdTech is BigTech in a sweater vest."
Opt-Out Resources
Download and read through options in the Screentime Consultants Unplug EdTech Toolkit.
Letter templates included at bottom.
It is suggested that you do not sign the Tech Use Policy form or any media release forms as these may be used for blanket consent.
Tech Use Policy Opt Out / Revoke Consent, Schools Beyond Screens (LAUSD, but could be adapted for other districts)
Gen AI Tool Opt Out Template, Jodi Carreon, Schools Beyond Screens
APS Amira Opt Out, Atlanta Public Schools (be sure to also state you do not want Amira used as a reading tutor)
iReady Opt Out Template, Schools Beyond Screens (LAUSD)
Google Additional Services Revocation, Jodi Carreon, SMUSD Parents for Intentional Tech
1:1 Device Opt Out Template, Nicki Petrossi, Tech Safe Learning Coalition
SBS 1:1 Opt Out Template - new 2-step opt out template that leverages your RUP in the event of pushback.
Minecraft Education Opt Out, Nicki Petrossi, Tech Safe Learning Coalition
1:1 Device Opt-Out Template, Schools Beyond Screens
1:1 Device Use Reduction Requests to Teachers - SFCxUS Members
EdTech Resource Library
There are 3 tabs: Resources to Learn (articles, research, webinars, white papers, podcasts, etc.), Resources to Use (toolkits, email templates, public comments, presentations, etc) and Experiences Changing Course (stories of administrators and teachers taking more intentional approaches).
Close Screens Open Minds
Recommended Reading
Substacks & Blogs
Emily Cherkin, The First Fish Chronicles
Audrey Watters, Second Breakfast
Jared Cooney Horvath, The Digital Delusion
Books
Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids’ Learning -- And How To Help Them Thrive Again
Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation
MaryAnne Wolf, Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain In A Digital World
Nicolas Carr, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing To Our Brains
Audrey Watters, Teaching Machines: The History of Personalized Learning
Justin Reich, Failure to Disrupt: Why Technology Alone Can’t Transform Education
Natasha Singer, Coding Kids: Big Tech’s Battle to Remake Schools
Michaeleen Doucleff, Dopamine Kids
Anna Lembke, Dopamine Nation
Books for Kids/Teens
Melanie Hempe, Kids' Brains & Screens (middle-high school)
Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price, The Amazing Generation (ages 8-14+)
Melanie Hempe, The Adventures of Super Brain: Join the mission to power up your brain and choose screen-free fun! (ages 7-10)