Staff Guidance
Staff Guidance
Classroom Technology Considerations
Teachers construct effective learning environments through the use of a combination of tools including digital resources. We recognize that ‘one size does not fit all’ and each classroom will have learners with different needs. Some of those learner needs may be supported by the use of hardware and software technologies. While total time limits for digital educational resources have not been identified in scientific research, lower usage of digital tools for younger students makes sense, especially with the growing evidence of potential impacts on vision and physical health. Include the following considerations to ensure that students receive the maximum benefit from technology in your classroom:
Health Considerations:
- Promote good posture at chairs, desks, and computer stations.
- Encourage students to sit a comfortable distance from the screen (approximately 20-25 inches), with the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level and feet placed on the floor.
- In the case of extended use, remind students to take regular breaks (e.g., about every 20 minutes) to rest their eyes and focus on distant objects to reduce eye strain. Consider posting the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds.
- Stand and stretch or other movement breaks are recommended.
- Emphasize the importance of hand hygiene, especially before and after using a shared device.
- Headphones promote sound privacy and are helpful for managing distractions. Avoid sharing headphones between students. Younger students may need assistance learning how to adjust the volume to comfortable and safe levels.
Digital Citizenship and Online Safety:
- Encourage through lessons and class conversations responsible digital citizenship, including the importance of respecting others' privacy, ethically using resources, and maintaining a positive online presence.
- Educate students on safe online practices to protect personal information.
- Encourage the use of secure and reputable websites and applications for educational purposes.
Regular Maintenance and Updates:
- Report any technology issues through our work order system.
Life-long Learning:
- Reflect on the use of digital tools with students using the technology integration model known as PICRAT.
- Abandon tools that no longer address learning outcomes or don’t meet student data privacy requirements.
- Stay informed about the latest advancements and concerns related to digital device usage.
- Share your successes with colleagues.
Technology Integration Management:
- Preview instructional content from digital resources. Consider embedding YouTube videos within slideshows when possible to minimize distractions.
- Break up screen-based activities with non-digital tasks or physical activities.
- Incorporate activities that promote teamwork, collaboration, and creative products.
- Restrict the use of school devices during DI blocks or other extra time as available in the classroom to approved learning applications.
- Keep devices away during elementary dismissal.
- Monitor the use of devices by proximity or GoGuardian (or similar tools) where available.
- Offer screen-free breaks before and after using digital testing tools. We recommend breaks lasting about 10 minutes and including movement activity when possible.
- When planning for technology use with students in a lesson or unit, consider these guiding questions:
- What learning objectives am I trying to achieve?
- What type of interaction will my students experience with the technology?
- What about this planned use of technology makes it superior to a non-digital experience?
Last Modified:
May 6, 2024
Instructional Software
What software resources are available?
Explore our software portal. If the software is on the approved list and free to use, then you are good to go. Some programs are approved with conditions. Take a look at the details. Paid programs may have a limited number of licenses.
What is the process for adopting technology?
Are you interested in using a new software program with your students? That's fantastic!
New technology-based resources in the classroom should improve the efficiency and/or effectiveness of educational tasks for teachers and/or instructional outcomes for students. Teachers know best what benefits their students, but vetting requests for new resources helps to identify compliance with State and Federal legislation related to privacy considerations along with any potential additional technical or budgetary requirements.
This slideshow explains how to create your account to Darien's Software Library so that you may access more detailed information about programs and request software.
Please reach out to Tim McGuire for any clarification.
PICRAT
PICRAT is a model for technology integration developed by Dr. Royce Kimmons of Brigham Young University. It is focused on two core ideas: Horizontally, how does the planned use of technology impact the learning experience? Vertically, what are the students doing with technology? Effective technology uses may fall anywhere on the matrix but PIC-RAT is meant to encourage teachers to reflect on their practice and consider ways to move their technology toward a range of experience types.
PICRAT puts the focus on learning and the learner, with reflection built into the model. We want to see students completing activities that promote creativity and collaboration, thus higher vertical, and engaging with activities that couldn’t be done without technology (further to the left horizontally) when it makes sense to do so. However not every planned experience with technology needs to be in the top right corner. Considers your planned learning activities that incorporate technology. If you find that the use of digital technology often is landing in the bottom left where the learner is passive, then let's work together to reconsider the overall approach to technology integration.
Quick Guide to the Matrix:
Students' Use of Technology
- Passive - receive information
- Interactive - Opportunity to respond to information.
- Creative - create learning products providing synthesis of information.
Teacher's Use of Technology
- Replaces - Improves, but does not fundamentally change the nature of the lesson.
- Amplifies - Lesson not easily achieved with traditional classroom methods.
- Transforms - Impossible in the absence of digital technologies
Resource Links
Darien Public Schools considers current information about best practices when embedding technology tools in any learning environment. The following resources are valuable to anyone considering adopting a new technology tool in the schools:
Common Sense Media: For educators and parents providing reviews of resources for children.
Educator's Guide to Student Data Privacy: PDF document introducing key points related to student data.
Federal Department of Education - Office of Educational Technology: Provides general guidance for future-forward planning in the area of Educational Technology.
National Center for Education Research: Searchable database of grant-funded education research.
PICRAT: Technology Integration Matrix
Product Certifications: Digital Promise EdTech ESSA certified products.