Technology Shifts at BPS101
Hello BPS101 Community-
Technology is an important tool for teaching and learning in BPS101, but how we use technology should continue to evolve as our students, classrooms, and the technology itself change.
Over the past several months, we have listened to feedback from families, teachers, staff members, administrators, and community members about student technology use. A consistent theme has emerged: technology is most valuable when it has a clear purpose and supports student learning.
We are grateful for everyone’s patience as this topic began to emerge as we were nearing the end of the school year and heading into summer break. Since returning to school, we have been able to use our collaborative committee structure between the administration and the Batavia Education Association. We were also able to include our principals, as each level of our district requires different considerations.
Based on that feedback, BPS101 is making several adjustments to students’ use of technology while continuing to evaluate other areas that need further discussion and study.
Changes for Elementary Students
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Access to artificial intelligence tools will be disabled for students in grades K-5. AI is rapidly becoming part of our everyday world, but we believe our youngest learners need developmentally appropriate instruction and guidance before independently accessing these tools.
YouTube Access
Beginning October 1, K-5 students will no longer be able to independently search YouTube on their District devices. Teachers will continue to have access to YouTube and may share direct links to specific videos that support classroom instruction. This allows teachers to use valuable video resources while providing students with more focused access to appropriate content.
Chromebooks at Home
Kindergarten students will continue to leave their Chromebooks at school. Decisions about whether first-grade students bring Chromebooks home will be made at the building level. Students in other grades will continue to bring devices home, so they are available if the District needs to transition to an emergency learning day.
Classroom Technology Monitoring
Teachers will have access to Lightspeed Classroom, a tool that helps educators monitor and manage student Chromebook activity during class. This is one more resource teachers can use to reinforce classroom expectations and help students stay focused on learning.
Looking Beyond the Immediate Changes
For our secondary students, there are no immediate changes. Instead, we are beginning a thoughtful review of several areas related to students’ use of technology. These include:
- The instructional impact and appropriate use of AI and YouTube for students in grades 6-12.
- Options that could allow families to monitor their students’ Chromebook activity while the devices are being used at home.
- Student access to social media during the school day.
- District web filtering categories and settings.
- Appropriate expectations and guidelines for student technology use.
These are complex topics. Changes can affect instruction, student access, teacher practices, family expectations, and the skills students need to navigate an increasingly digital world. We do not want to make those decisions without understanding those impacts.
Keeping Learning at the Center
We are also asking our educators to continue examining how technology is used in the classroom. Our goal is not simply more technology or less technology. Our goal is purposeful technology.
When a digital tool strengthens instruction, provides access to important resources, supports creativity, or helps students learn in ways that would otherwise be difficult, it can be incredibly valuable. At the same time, we want to be intentional about limiting technology use that does not meaningfully contribute to learning.
This work will continue, and we will keep our families, staff, and community informed as conversations and decisions move forward.
Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback and helped us think critically about this important topic. Technology will continue to change. Our commitment is to make thoughtful decisions that keep student learning, development, and well-being at the center.