Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Laguna Beach Unified presents midyear update on classroom screen time and plans further study of AI impacts
Loading...
Summary
District staff reported teacher-collected screen-time audit showing average classroom device use ranging roughly 20–32% in some high‑school subjects and variable elementary results; trustees and students pressed for clearer definitions, student data and homework/AI effects before policy changes are considered.
Dr. Mike Mayberry, director of instructional services, told the Laguna Beach Unified School District board on Jan. 22 that staff completed a midyear update on the district's "intentional use of technology" work, describing teacher-collected estimates of in-class device use and next steps in data collection. "This is a midyear update," Dr. Mayberry said, "and it will focus on the work LBUSD staff is doing, and balancing digital tools with strong instructional practices and human connection."
The presentation summarized a two-week teacher audit and a framework that distinguishes sustained, intermittent and shared uses of screens. As reported by teachers, some course averages showed device use ranging roughly 20% to 32% of class time in identified high‑school and middle‑school subjects; Thurston Middle School was reported at about 31% in some slides. Dr. Mayberry emphasized that the figures are averages and that teachers' and students' experiences differ. "When we collected that data, it was survey data collected from teachers," he said, adding that the district plans to survey students and parents and run focus groups to triangulate findings.
Trustees asked for clarity about definitions and methods. Trustee Malcheski pressed how the district is connecting intentional lesson design to learning objectives rather than talking only about "too much technology." Dr. Mayberry pointed to unit- and lesson-design training and said intentionality—starting with compelling, open questions and designing assessments—reduces overreliance on devices. Trustee Hills and others questioned why some grade-level averages (for example, third grade) exceeded high‑school minutes; staff said differences reflect the mix of programs and curricular tools (such as I-Ready).
Students who spoke during the meeting said they saw classroom changes (more direct instruction at the start of class and reduced device use) but raised a separate concern: homework and out-of-class assignments that are "AI-able." One student said the problem was not classroom screen time but that "the work that's given outside of the classroom is much too reliant on it's the term has been coined CHAGBT able" and urged assignments that require oral or in-person demonstration.
Board members and staff agreed on next steps: expand data collection to students and parents, add measures for tutorial/homework periods, continue professional development on human‑centered design, and develop local assessments focused on critical thinking and collaboration. Dr. Mayberry said the district will use the board's earlier resolution and guidance as it refines training and reporting. "We want to get more information from students, more information from parents," he said, "and we expect this data to change and evolve every time we collect it."
The item was an information update; no action was requested. The district intends further surveys and focus groups this spring and additional staff training to align technology use with instructional goals.
