US Education Department Urges Schools to Focus on Quality of Technology Use, Not Just Screen Time
The United States Department of Education is calling for schools to move away from measuring the amount of time spent with digital devices and instead measure whether classroom technology is actually enhancing learning and development.
The recommendation was made in a letter to educators by Kirsten Baesler, assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education, which was released on 20 August. She said that the purpose, effectiveness and impact of educational technology should be used to evaluate it, not lump all screen use together.
The difference is significant for child development. Structured learning with digital tools can help to achieve access to education, tutoring and specialised support, while recreational or poorly designed screen use can provide little educational value.
Baesler urged schools to assess if technology is making measurable academic gains for students. She also urged education technology firms to offer independent proof of the effectiveness of their products and make it clear what they are and are not effective at.
The guidance is issued amid growing concerns about children’s screen time in the United States. A number of school districts have set limits on how much time students can spend on screens in class, and several states have proposed bills to limit digital instruction.
But, a time limit alone may not be the deciding factor in whether or not technology is helpful to a child, argued Baesler.
The Education Department says education technology can offer specific advantages to students in rural areas, those in special education and students who require extra academic support.
The guidance is not binding. Rather, it invites schools, teachers and parents to make decisions about the use of technology, when and how.
The emphasis from a child protection and development perspective is not just on minimising children’s screen time, but on ensuring that the digital experiences they have in school are purposeful, safe, age appropriate and able to facilitate meaningful learning.
