THE DIGITAL COMMONS product but about the planning, preparation, outline, and iterations, generative AI is less useful to a student. When that messaging is strong and consistent, families don’ t feel tricked or caught off guard; they feel included. By doing this work together, we teach more than just what’ s allowed— we model what it means to grow up responsibly in a rapidly changing world.
Devices: Presence in a World of Distraction
Laptops, tablets, smartwatches— these tools have transformed classrooms into hubs of possibility and distraction. We ask students to toggle between focused writing and online research, collaboration and independent thinking. No wonder many of them struggle to stay grounded. When we frame device policies around behavior alone, we miss the deeper need: helping students build discernment in a world of constant connection. Effective device policies do not just say“ no distractions,” they teach“ how to stay present.” And when those policies are clear, consistent, and thoughtfully designed, they create freedom for teachers and students alike.
“ When we frame device policies around behavior alone, we miss the deeper need: helping students build discernment in a world of constant connection.”
Families are navigating the same dilemmas. Many have experienced firsthand how devices fracture attention or heighten stress. When schools make the case that device boundaries are about wellness, not control, parents listen. Policies are strongest when they are scaffolded with communication: What’ s the purpose of a laptop in this class? What happens when we misuse it? What does learning look like when the screen is closed? That kind of transparency shifts the narrative. It’ s not about restriction for its own sake. It’ s about showing young people how to unplug in service of deeper engagement, and how to harness the power of technology that aligns to their goals. As our goals are learning, I believe in policies that enforce that technology use is school-related while in the building, and policies should be clear about what that does and does not include.
Navigating Pushback
No matter how carefully crafted a policy is, pushback is inevitable. But too often, schools view resistance as a failure rather than an opportunity. The truth is, when parents object to a tech policy, it’ s
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CSEE Connections Fall 2025 Page 9