Sixth grade literacy teachers at Kromrey Middle School implemented device-free classrooms this school year, and they’re already seeing the benefits of the shift.
“Students became more talkative in class, in the best way,” said teacher Jenna Peterson, who is leading the device-free efforts. “They were no longer hiding behind their Chromebooks while waiting for class to start, and instead were interacting, laughing, and connecting with one another. It was the best!”
Peterson and teacher Maggie Bormann tried the device-free approach last semester. The trial went so well they decided to continue it this school year. Teacher Nick Tormey, who started at Kromrey Middle School this year, joined their mission.
The teachers said they have seen an increase in student focus and productivity in their classrooms since going device-free.
“Without access to games, email, or other digital distractions, students are more engaged in their work,” she said. “They also no longer rush through assignments just to get Chromebook time, because that doesn’t exist. Because all classwork is handwritten, several students have even improved the readability and consistency of their handwriting over the semester.”
Peterson explained why she wanted to make the shift.
“We chose to go device-free because we noticed that most focus issues came from students being on their Chromebooks,” Peterson said. “Instead of engaging with one classroom task, many were multitasking between tabs: email, games, or unrelated classwork. Removing Chromebooks from daily use immediately took away those distractions. If limiting device use meant students were more present, focused, and engaged, it was a change worth making.”
Kromrey Middle School has a policy limiting students’ use of personal devices during the school day, but Peterson said Chromebooks are the main classroom devices students use.
“In our rooms, Chromebooks simply aren’t an option unless they are absolutely necessary,” she said. “For example, researching a topic or typing final drafts of essays and stories. Everything else is done without devices.”
Peterson said communicating the device-free shift to students was easy.
“We explained the change in class, but more importantly, we shared our ‘why,’” Peterson said. “We want students to feel successful, engaged, and empowered. They were excited about the change and accepted it wholeheartedly.”
Peterson called families’ responses to the shift “overwhelmingly positive.”
“Many expressed appreciation and relief,” Peterson said. “Students, families, and teachers alike are noticing the negative effects of constant technology use, so this shift felt refreshing for everyone.”
Joanna Cree, associate principal and Academic & Career Planning coordinator at Kromrey Middle School, said the trio’s work encouraged more teachers to consider device use in their classrooms.
“Inspired by 6th grade literacy’s actions, a group of about twenty staff members read ‘The Digital Delusion’ over the summer and met in August to discuss our vision for technology use at Kromrey,” Cree said. “The group developed three challenges for staff this year: 1) start and end class tech free, encouraging analog connection and reflection, 2) encourage reading for early finishers; no more ‘free choice tech time’ and 3) share amongst your teammates your intentions to use technology so teams can plan to spread out the use of devices.”
Peterson said she wants other teachers to know that shifting to a device-free class is doable.
“Schools shifted to heavy device use during the pandemic and never fully shifted back,” Peterson said. “Chromebooks make certain tasks easier, but easier doesn’t always mean developmentally appropriate. We encourage teachers to reflect on whether a hands-on approach could accomplish the same goal. What’s most convenient for adults isn’t always what’s best for students.”
Captions: Ms. Peterson (top picture) and Ms. Bormann (second picture) teaching in their device-free sixth grade classrooms at Kromrey Middle School.