For years, our house has had the “no tech at the table” rule. Whether you lived here or visited us, you were expected to follow the decree. My husband had to set his phone on the counter before coming to dinner. Teens had to keep their phones in their pockets when coming to hang out. And grandparents had to keep their iPads packed away before coming to breakfast (this last group had the greatest difficulty). But then September came and home school started.
With our kitchen table as our home school center, the “no tech at the table” rule became troublesome. As an educator, I believe that technology integration is key to 21st century instruction and learning. (For a helpful overview of successful technology integration, visit Edutopia.) However, as a mom of a sensory overloaded kid with poor eye sight, I want to limit the amount of time on screens. I needed to find a tech balance that would work for teacher and student.
But first, I needed to revise the parent “no tech at the table” rule. Devices are now allowed at the table “for educational purposes only during home school hours.” (I had to be specific so that neither my husband nor my older child could find a loop hole.) So, we now have a computer sitting on our kitchen table every day. The idea is to use the device on an as-needed basis to enhance our lessons. For example, using computer cameras to take pictures of science experiments, using online videos to supplement math instruction, using graphic design platforms to present social studies concepts, or using web-based learning sites to practice grammar. However, most times, we are low-tech with books, paper, and a small white board because new isn’t always better