Texas Takeaways: Practical Notes from Tech & Learning’s Regional Leadership Summit Table Talks

The useful part

During the recent Tech & Learning regional summit at the TCEA Conference Center in Austin, that elevated dedication was on display throughout the day. One of the best ways that happens is during the table discussions scheduled throughout the day. A fellow attendee who has experience in the subject facilitates each discussion, although everyone at the table is encouraged to share their thoughts, experiences, solutions, and advice.

How it works

• Attendees also discussed how it's important to drill down into and be transparent about what students are doing with devices.
• The group mentioned how active screen time is "another whole ball of wax" compared to passive screen time, and it was necessary to dig into the different types.
• Murphy talked more about being proactive, looking at data, and creating intentional use policies.
• He also said we need to show that it's not "a free for all" on YouTube, and that we have to educate parents on edtech vs.
• Student check-ins, classroom walkthroughs, student work and feedback can help schools gauge whether those lessons are actually meeting students' needs.

What to take from it

Some have even turned the exercises into friendly competitions, using leaderboards and other incentives to engage staff. The discussion then turned to what various leaders are doing to address the issue. Quinton Shepherd of Pflugerville ISD says he's met with the Lieutenant Governor three times to talk about screen time, and is in the process of drafting policy with the school board.

Example or evidence

• Participants shared several ways schools are building digital literacy into the school day, including grade-level scope and sequences, advisory periods and scheduled SEL time.
• Participants came back often to the role employees play in protecting school systems, and shared examples of using platforms such as KnowBe4, Vector, Microsoft tools, and CyberNut for training and simulated...
• She also mentioned the challenge of trying to regulate screen time at schools when we can't control it at home Frank Murray of Belton ISD shared how his district has done the screen time research, and it's...
• Her district also sought out the most vocal community members to be part of the conversation in the hope of converting them to be advocates for productive screen time.

Details worth keeping

The Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit brings together superintendents, CTOs, CAOs, and instructional and tech district leaders to share ideas, best practices, and solutions to help to reshape and reimagine the future of education. A few heard comments such as "Take devices away at lower levels," but attendees pointed out that it was up to them to point out the difference between perception and reality, or how much the community thinks screens are being used versus the actual totals, as there's generally a big disconnect. By being proactive first, then legislators don't have to legislate later.

Related coverage

• Edtechmagazine: The conversation around educational technology often begins with the tools.
• Techlearning: This annual award celebrates the products that offer schools versatility, value, and solutions to specific problems to support innovative, effective teaching and learning.
• Edtechmagazine: Just south of Seattle, Highline Public Schools serves an area of rich cultural diversity — for example, its 17,290 students speak nearly 90 different languages.