May 2, 2018

Your Questions, Our Answers (FAQ)

How should I answer questions about the increased 'screen time' students have with the DLI?

'Screen time' is a loaded phrase these days with only a few attempts by the media to talk about this phenomenon and its impact on students in a constructive way.

Generally 'screen time' refers to total time students engage with screened technology (we'll talk about smart assistants another time!). However, just like not all calories are the same when discussing eating food, not all 'screen time' has the same effect on students.

'Screen time' can be split into Passive & Creative. More details about each type are included below.

A useful lens with which to view a student's use of 'screen time' is the 3 Cs:

  • Contexts (where, how, when and with what effects children are accessing digital media)
  • Content (what they are watching and using)
  • Connections (how digital media are facilitating or undermining relationships)

If you or a parent have more questions about 'screen time' or a particular edtech tool and it's impact on students please don't hesitate to use the form below to submit your concerns.

On the FCSD DLI website, we've detailed some of the research on screen time.


Passive Screen Time

This is defined as:

  • Browsing social media sites
  • Watching videos
  • Browsing the internet
  • Playing games (including "educational" games)

Passive screen time in and of itself is not necessarily bad, but as the goal of instructional technology is to empower students to be the creative force behind learning, passive screen time should be limited in the FCSD.

Creative Screen Time

This is defined as:

  • Learning a new skill
  • Coding a game, website, animation, app, etc.
  • Making digital music
  • Problem solving in games
  • Digital photography and editing images
  • Creating and editing videos
  • Making an animation

The largest component of screen time should be creative. Research supports the use of instructional technology in the creative process as a beneficial and healthy use of devices.

Have a question, concern or request about the DLI?

Use the form below to send your thoughts to us. Or simply e-mail Dom Lisi: Dlisi@fulton.cnyric.org or Dan Sherman: DSherma1@fulton.cnyric.org

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