Don’t Unplug Just Yet! Facing the Tech Backlash with Actionable Classroom Solutions

As screen-time debates dominate national conversations, educators face a critical challenge: how do we integrate digital tools meaningfully without sacrificing vital, tactile experiences? Presented by an elementary Instructional Technology Facilitator who navigates this tension daily, this session tackles the too-much-tech dilemma head-on, sharing honest successes and systemic challenges from the front lines of elementary education. Moving past the extremes of total banishment or digital saturation, you will explore how to strike a healthy balance between screen-based innovation and hands-on learning, with a focus on intentionality, pedagogy and student well-being. You will gain a clear framework for evaluating whether tech use is purposeful, management strategies that build healthy technology habits and positively impact behavior, tips for helping families build healthy habits at home, lesson examples and a toolkit for gaining buy-in from students, colleagues and the community. Discover how to turn devices from distractions into catalysts for active engagement you can implement immediately.