America’s tech-filled classrooms are facing a backlash against school-assigned devices
Districts are adding screen limits, app blocks and device returns as parents and teachers question whether school technology improves learning.
- After investing billions in classroom technology, major school districts are reversing course as classrooms become saturated with screens. Fresno Unified School District told its 40,000 elementary students to return take-home laptops this fall, while Los Angeles school board passed a sweeping resolution last month eliminating devices until second grade.
- The shift began during the COVID-19 pandemic when education moved online in March 2020, and schools raced to distribute devices. By 2021-2022, 96% of U.S. public schools reported giving digital devices to students, while educational technology exploded into a multibillion-dollar industry.
- Student Clementine watches YouTube during her 30-minute school commute on her Chromebook, and almost all her homework is online. Parent LuAnn Oliver reported her 6th-grade son visits gaming sites in nearly every class, while the Simi Valley Unified School District cited inappropriate Google searches and video games when stopping device distribution.
- LAUSD school board member Nick Melvoin, who drafted the resolution, said teachers are replacing instruction with online apps as a crutch. Teacher Anna Soffer battles daily with students choosing Minecraft over instruction, while the Arlington School District stopped giving iPads before first grade but kept them required for grades 6 through 12.
- At least 14 states have proposed laws to limit screen time in schools, and the federal government issued an advisory last week warning that excessive screen use among youths is becoming a public health concern. LAUSD will audit education technology contracts valued at $1.6 billion, the teachers union says.
46 Articles
46 Articles
The Korea Times
The Norfolk Daily NewsAmerica's tech-filled classrooms are facing backlash against school-assigned devices
Just a few years ago, America’s public schools were rushing to get every child a laptop. Los Angeles middle school teacher Anna Soffer remembers it...
The Daily Advance
America's tech-filled classrooms are facing a backlash against school-assigned devices
Schools across the U.S. are starting to rethink the abundance of digital devices in classrooms. After pouring billions of dollars into laptops, tablets and learning apps, a growing number of schools say it is time to scale back. The Los…
Schools remove classroom laptops amid screen time concerns
Just a few years ago, America’s public schools were rushing to get every child a laptop. Los Angeles middle school teacher Anna Soffer remembers it well: “The idea was that technology is the future, so we need to put tech in every child’s hands.” Now, the conversation has flipped. After pouring billions of dollars into laptops, tablets and learning apps, many schools are facing a digital reckoning. Classrooms have become saturated with screens, …
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