The Power of Balance

When we strike the right balance between traditional learning and digital learning, students gain the best of both worlds. Low-tech activities like journaling, building, experimenting, or simply talking face to face help kids slow down and think deeply. They make time and space for creativity, focus, and real human connection.

High-tech tools, when used purposefully, can enhance those same goals. They open access to new ideas, help students collaborate beyond the classroom, and make learning more engaging and interactive. This balance also connects to the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which emphasize offering multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression.

The good news is, there are resources to help educators work towards a balance. Such as the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning’s SAMR and TPACK models, helping educators evaluate how they’re using technology, whether it’s simply replacing traditional methods or transforming learning with intention. It reminds us that tech should enhance creativity and connection, not replace them.

A classroom that blends both reflects true inclusivity and recognizes that all students learn in their own ways. The problem is not the technology itself; it is when we start to depend on it too much or use it as a substitute for connection and critical thought.

Benefits of balance:

• Increase engagement by keeping learning varied and active.

• Encourage creativity by combining digital design with tactile experiences.

• Build critical thinking by challenging students to move between digital and real-world problem-solving.

Pros, Cons, and Risks of Technology in Learning

Pros: When used with purpose, technology can make learning more engaging and creative. It helps students collaborate, access new ideas, and express their learning in different ways. It also prepares them for the digital world they’re growing up in.

Cons: When we lean too much on screens, students can lose some independence in their thinking. They might rely on quick answers instead of slowing down to problem-solve or create. It can also take away from hands-on learning, real conversations, and focus.

Risks: Too much screen time can cause overstimulation and make learning feel shallow. Students may lose some of that real-world connection, miss out on movement and play, and struggle to think critically without a device in front of them.

What Balance Looks Like in the Classroom

The most effective classrooms will use technology as a support, not the centrepiece.

For example:

• Students might brainstorm ideas on paper before typing a paper or creating a shared digital project.

• A math lesson might include hands-on manipulatives followed by a tech-based game or quiz.

• During literacy, students might go through a UFLI lesson on the smart board before they write journal entries by hand.

Canadian programs like Kids Code Jeunesse model this approach beautifully. Their initiatives pair unplugged, hands-on activities with coding and digital creation, helping students understand not just how technology works but why it matters. They also offer teacher training that supports educators in bringing coding and computational thinking into their classrooms. It is a reminder that coding and creativity belong together and that learning through movement, play, and design remains essential.

Likewise, MediaSmarts’ Classroom Guide for Integrating Digital Literacy offers a practical framework for teachers across Canada to embed digital skills while still nurturing communication, empathy, and responsible tech use. Their resources encourage students to think critically about media, screen time, and online interaction. This is exactly the kind of balanced awareness classrooms need today.

These resources remind me that technology can support learning, not replace it. Children still need movement, creativity, and social interaction to grow into well-rounded thinkers. By finding balance, we can help students become innovative, modern thinkers who use technology with purpose and imagination.

Best Practices & Tips for Teachers

Finding balance between low-tech and high-tech learning starts with being intentional. Teachers don’t have to pick one side over the other; it’s about finding ways to blend both so students stay creative, connected, and curious. Here are some ideas that can help keep that balance in the classroom:

• Start hands-on. Begin lessons with activities like journaling, building, or having group discussions before introducing any digital tools. Working by hand helps students slow down, reflect, and think more deeply.

• Blend online and offline experiences. Try pairing digital activities with hands-on learning. For instance, students might write or draw in a notebook during a nature walk, then use a device later to research or share what they found.

• Include creativity and movement. Add art, play, and physical activities to keep learning active and engaging. This helps students focus and reminds them that learning doesn’t always happen on a screen.

• Teach digital responsibility. Use programs like Kids Code Jeunesse and MediaSmarts to guide students in using technology safely, responsibly, and with purpose.

• Take time to reflect. Ask your students and yourself how technology is supporting or distracting from learning. Adjust when needed to keep lessons meaningful and balanced.