Williamsburg-James City County school administrators pledged to ensure technology does not get in the way of learning, and keep parents in the loop, but made clear technology is a tool that is here to stay.
One of the mothers who has been leading the charge against screen time in schools said she was disappointed the schools had not admitted any problems with excessive computer use. And she said parents like her will be watching for real results.
At the school board’s regular meeting Tuesday night, Chief Academic Officer Robin Ford and Kristin Barr, the schools’ supervisor of instructional technology, provided the results of a 60-member focus group that met this summer to discuss technology in schools.
The group, which included some parents, was formed after several school board members and a group of mothers expressed concern about too much computer use in local schools.
Stating “ technology use is not an end in itself,” the two laid out a plan derived from the focus group meetings to better monitor the use of technology and screen time, keep parents informed, and give parents the tools to see what their kids are doing online at school and at home.
They said the goal is to make sure technology is used consistently across schools and that teachers are properly trained in its use.
“We also made clear that tech in our classroom is a tool for learning not for recreation,” Ford said. Several mothers who complained in school board meetings about too much computer use said their children were allowed to play Minecraft and other games as a reward for good behavior.