Why Screen Time is Important in the Classroom

It’s important to understand the difference between “screen time” spent playing video games and scrolling TikTok and “educational screen time” where students are learning. When screen time is used for educational purposes, it can positively impact a child’s development and can enhance their learning as long as it’s not excessive, says an updated 2023 review on the Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development.

How much technology you use in the classroom should depend upon the age of the students and the purpose of the screen use. Screen time can have many benefits and help learners complete tasks they may have not been able to if not using technology, such as the ability to adapt to students’ individual needs and learning styles. It also can provide an engaging learning experience that captures student’s attention, which can lead to an increase in understanding and retention. In addition, screen time exposes students to technology they may need in their future careers. Becoming familiar with these digital tools now will only help prepare them for their future.

Rules About Screen Time Usage in the Classroom

There’s no denying that students are using their smartphones in the classroom, even if it’s against school policy. According to research conducted by Common Sense Media students on average use their smartphones for 43 minutes a day during school hours and pick up their phones about 72-500 times per day. In addition to the permitted screen time allocated in the classroom, incorporating this may result in an excessive amount of screen exposure.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, too much screen time can cause sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, attention issues, and obesity. With this increase in screen time, it’s necessary to establish rules and guidelines for students to adhere to while in the classroom. Here are a few ideas on how to guide students on appropriate screen time usage in the classroom.

• Distinguish between active and passive screen time. Active screen time involves educational engagement, leading to positive effects, whereas passive screen time revolves around entertainment, potentially resulting in adverse effects.
• Clearly communicate your expectations about technology to help foster a positive learning environment.
• Implement time limits to prevent overexposure to screens.
• Only use technology as a tool to enhance instruction, not to replace instruction.
• Educate students about responsible choices with their screen time to help them develop self-regulation skills.

Alternative Teaching Styles that Do Not Use Technology

Technology can be a powerful and valuable tool to use in the classroom. However, there are alternative teaching methods that do not rely on technology. Here are a few teaching styles that emphasize hands-on learning, collaboration, or creative expression.

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is a structured teaching strategy where students work together in a group and participate equally to complete a task. This alternative teaching style fosters teamwork, communication, and social skills without relying on technology. Educators like using this teaching method because it tends to boost student motivation and participation.

Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning or PBL is a student-centered, teacher-facilitated learning method where students work on a project over an extended time. It involves students actively engaging in a complex and authentic real-world problem or challenge. This approach builds 21st-century skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills without heavily relying on technology.

Montessori Method

The Montessori method is a self-directed hands-on approach to learning where students are encouraged to work at their own pace. Learning practical life skills and understanding different cultures are integral to this method of learning. Social development is also a fundamental aspect of this approach as well as the freedom for students to choose their own activities.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning can serve as an alternative to using technology in the classroom because instead of using digital tools, this approach relies on hands-on learning and as well as using real-world experiences. Through active participation, collaboration, and personalized learning, students cultivate a love for learning without the need for screens.

Traditional Teaching Methods

Traditional methods that have been employed for decades, such as lectures, class discussions, group activities, non-digital games, chalkboard instruction, using textbooks or novels, role-playing, and using visual aids, continue to be an effective way to convey information and deepen understanding of concepts.

While technology can provide students with engaging and meaningful learning experiences, educators need to be in the know about screen time. It’s essential to be conscious about your media choices to ensure you’re using screen time purposefully and only to enhance student learning, not replace it. By establishing guidelines for your students and yourself to follow when using digital tools, you can make screen time a positive learning experience for students.

Educational Resources for Both School and Home

Here are a few resources to help reinforce screen time balance at both school and home.

Digital Learning Contract

Students can sign a digital learning agreement to pledge to be a responsible and respectful digital learner. Here are a few contracts from Common Sense Media.

• Digital Learning Pledge for Grades K-5
• Digital Learning Pledge for Grades 6-12
• Digital Learning Pledge for Home

Resources for Educators

• Digital Citizenship Curriculum
• Free multimedia curriculum materials from The Media Education Lab
• Screen Time & Activity Finding the Balance
• Children and Screens: Interdisciplinary research and essential information on digital media and child development

Resources for Parents

• Create a Family Media Plan
• Screen time guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics
• Screen Free Parenting
• Beyond Screen Time: Help Your Kids Build Healthy Media Use Habits

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How Much Screen Time is Too Much?

Many experts are saying that too much screen time may have effects on brain development. Studies have shown that students who spent more than two hours a day using screens scored lower on language and thinking tests (Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development, 2018). It has also been said that students who spend more than seven hours a day may experience thinning of the brain’s cortex. The brain’s cortex is the part of the brain that is related to reasoning skills and critical thinking.

Students who spend more time on the screen are less likely to want to engage in physical activities and social interaction in a face-to-face setting. This creates a concern for students who become accustomed to distance learning and will need to transition back into the face-to-face format of schools.

Prior to COVID-19, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children between the ages of two and eighteen years old limit screen time to only two hours per day. They have recently made new recommendations that take into consideration that technology has been integrated into the daily lives of school-aged children. They recommend avoiding the use of a ‘one size fits all ‘approach to the screen time for children and that screen time is monitored and limited as needed.

How to Limit Screen Time

Track Student Screen Time

It is very easy to lose track of the amount of screen time our students must have in order to do their required work assignments. This is partially because educators have not normally needed to monitor this very closely in face-to-face sessions. When creating lesson plans, educators should not only be mindful of the amount of time lessons will take to deliver to students, they must also take into account the amount of time that the students may need to spend on the screen during and after instruction to complete their assigned work.

It may be helpful to estimate the amount of screen time that will be needed, actually notate it in planning, and monitor it so that it does not become excessive. This may require educators to adjust instruction and assignments to ensure that students do not spend too much time looking at computer screens. It may also be helpful to teach students how to track their own screen time and monitor when they will need to take a break.

Use Brain Breaks

Brain breaks refer to any tasks or activities that allow students to have an opportunity to move, energize, and/or relax. They are designed to break the mental monotony by getting the students active to improve blood circulation and the amount of oxygen that gets into the brain. This in turn causes students to stay focused and alert when they return to the screen. Many of the brain breaks involve relaxation methods, breathing techniques, music, dancing, or stretching. When educators use brain breaks, they provide balance to the learning experience and get more out of their students.

Schedule Tech-Free Days

Although this may require work on the front end in terms of planning and preparation, educators should take advantage of tech-free days. These would be days when learning would occur without the use of technology. This can be done in an asynchronous format for remote learners.

Educators would need to plan activities that are engaging beyond the completion of worksheet packets. Many use choice boards that may require students to use manipulatives, household items, arts and crafts, or hands-on materials that are provided ahead of time by the school. In preparation for these days, educators will need to send materials home (for remote students) and model how to complete the tech-free tasks for their students.

Create Screen Time Plans with Students and their Families

For many of our students, screen time during school is just the tip of the iceberg of their total amount of screen time per day. It is very helpful to limit the amount of screen time that is devoted to school work. However, unless the overall amount is limited for the students, having too much screen time will still negatively impact them.

Educators should consider developing a screen time plan with their students. This could also be done collaboratively with the students’ families depending on the age of the student. Families could also make a screen time plan separately from the school and vice versa. These plans make it clear how much screen time will be in the day for the student. They make it easy in terms of scheduling and allow for students to be held accountable.

It is recommended that educators or parents make the plan visible for the students so that they are able to actively participate in the monitoring of their own screen time. It is also recommended that this plan is flexible and practical for the students based on their day-to-day activities at school and home. Having the same screen time schedule for each day may not be practical or feasible for the students. This will make it hard for students to adhere to and even harder for adults to hold the students accountable.

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides a great resource for parents and educators to use when creating screen time plans for students. This is a great starting point when working to limit and monitor the amount of student screen time.

*Updated January, 2021

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