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District presents new technology handbook, class-level expectations and parent communication tools
Summary
District technology committee members presented a new technology handbook, an instructional expectations matrix and grade-level guides to clarify device use, monitoring and communication with families.
District technology committee representatives presented updated guidance for classroom technology use, a one-stop technology handbook and grade-level "high-quality materials" lists designed to give parents clearer information about when and how devices are used in instruction.
Brian, a member of the district technology committee, said the district—ommittee "expect[s] and really strive[s] for active use of technology by our students" and emphasized that the new materials are intended to improve communication between classrooms and families. He said the committee sought to move beyond parents—oncerns about screen time by making lesson purposes and time-on-task transparent.
The committee described three primary products: (1) a technology integration and expectations matrix for administrators and teachers that defines developing, proficient and distinguished practice and includes reflection questions; (2) grade-level high-quality materials matrices for K— that list state-adopted digital resources and typical weekly time estimates (the presenter cited examples such as Epic, IXL, Reflex, Kahoot and Vocabulary A to Z); and (3) a consolidated technology handbook posted on the district website covering device policies, cyber safety and supervisory expectations.
The presenter said the district has clarified that personal phones, smart watches and personal laptops are not allowed during class time across campuses and that when devices are used teachers should supervise students and use monitoring tools provided by the district. The materials present suggested time allocations for blocks such as math rotations and recommend that teachers notify families in advance when projects will involve extended device use (for example, a green-screen media project).
Committee members said the matrices are meant both as a reflection tool for teachers and as a communication aid so parents can see how often and for what instructional purpose their children use technology. The presenter said the district will do a "road show" of the materials with teacher groups and administrators in early September and that the handbook will be available online for families.
No formal action or vote was taken; the presentation was informational and intended to solicit feedback from the advisory council.
