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A Low-Tech Approach to Remote Learning

2-5
6-9
10-12
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Article/Blog
Guide
English
Created: 10/2020
Uploaded: 12/08/2020

This document is a companion to our “Statement on EdTech and Education Policy During the Pandemic.” As we substantiate in that Statement, EdTech rarely improves test scores and puts children’s privacy, physical health, and intrinsic motivation for learning at risk.

While the pandemic has necessitated the use of online tools for communication and collaboration during remote learning, we need not rely on algorithm-driven instruction and technological sparkle to keep students motivated and engaged. Indeed, over-reliance on EdTech during the pandemic could prove toxic by exacerbating feelings of loneliness and undermining students’ love of learning.

The Action Network’s approach to remote pedagogy is grounded in the conviction that human connection and human relationships are fundamental to learning, and that students are most motivated when they feel personally connected to learning materials, their teachers, and their learning communities.

The purpose of this document is to help guide educators, schools, and districts seeking to limit unnecessary screen time during remote learning while attending to equity, multicultural, and social justice issues and increasing student engagement.We do not seek to create new curricula. Instead, we hope to inspire educators and parents to insist — as we do in our Statement — that educators be allowed to work together and employ their intelligence and creativity to design and deliver curricula that keep all students engaged while deepening their learning, even in a pandemic.

Like this resource? Then join us! Become a member of the Children's Screen Time Action Network. Membership is free.