This guide will walk you through a few quick questions about how technology is used at your school and give you a personalized action plan with clear next steps.

Before or as you go through this guide, look for these on your district's website:

School board policy or handbook rules on devices
Technology philosophy or position statement
Digital literacy curriculum
AI guidelines or policy

If they exist, these will help you understand where things currently stand and will strengthen any conversations you have with teachers or administrators.

📊

If you haven't yet, take 5 minutes to complete our Ed Tech Survey.We're building a public dashboard to show how parents across Pennsylvania feel about school technology. Your response helps us understand the full picture and strengthens the case for change.

Take the survey →

●

Assess Device Use

Not started

Answer each question about your child's experience. Your answers will generate personalized action items.

Is your child assigned their own device (e.g., a Chromebook or iPad)?

Does your child bring their device home overnight?

Does the school allow device use during non-instructional time (e.g., recess, downtime, lunch, etc.)?

Does the school use screentime or games as a reward?

This includes letting students play games or use apps as a treat for good behavior or finishing work early.

Does the school allow students to use YouTube or generative AI chatbots (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini)?

Are you aware of which apps and platforms are approved and used at your school?

This includes the full list of apps and platforms, which grade levels use them, and how the approval process works.

Do you know how much time your child spends on a device per day?

Do you know how much of your child's schoolwork is done on a device vs. with paper and pencil — things like reading, writing, and research?

Your Ed Tech Action Guide

Generated 7/14/2026

This personalized guide was created based on your answers about technology use at your school. Use it to start conversations with teachers, administrators, and school board members. Small changes add up — every question you ask and every policy you push for helps create a healthier tech environment for all students.

Your Action Items

Great news! Based on your answers, your school is already doing well on the basics. Keep monitoring the items below.

Key Resources

The Digital Delusion — Dr. Jared Cooney HorvathMust read. The most important book for understanding why ed tech isn't working the way we've been told.

The EdTech TriangleA framework for evaluating classroom technology — from Transformative to Disruptive.

7 Core Values for Classroom TechnologyFoundational principles for responsible tech integration in schools.

EdTech Toolkit for ParentsPractical guide with templates for communicating with schools about technology.

Evergreen EdTech Questions to Ask Your Child's SchoolA ready-to-use list of questions every parent should be asking about technology in their child's school.

ScreenStrong Courses & GuidesThe best independent, evidence-based resource for schools to teach students and parents about healthy technology use.

Access all resources with clickable links at paunplugged.org

EdTech Advocacy Guide

Assess Device Use

Your Ed Tech Action Guide