Getting rid of Chromebooks isn’t McPherson Middle School principal Inge Esping’s first time helping her school reconsider well-intended but ultimately unhelpful education technology — and based on this new conversation it might not be her last.
Four years ago, McPherson banned cellphones during the day.
Then in December, the school eliminated the 1:1 Chromebook program that had been in place for roughly a decade — a decision featured in KCWH, KCTV, Sentinel KCMO, and most recently including the New York Times.
It’s no easy feat standing up to the relentless, well-funded, and often media-fanned hype surrounding education technology.
But McPherson’s Epsing shows how it can be done.
So far, the biggest challenge may be helping kids re-learn how to keep track of assignments and turn in homework without Google Classroom reminders.
Watch or read the transcript above or on YouTube. Listen to it on Spotify or Apple.
According to Esping, the school made this most recent change because — surprise! — getting rid of cellphones wasn’t a silver bullet, and also because it had the support of the district and school parents.
It also helped to have already banned cellphones — and to operate in a school district that already has paper-and-pencil curriculum materials available.
“I’m not sure if we didn’t do the cell phone restriction would have connected some of our challenges to Chromebooks as easily — or would have been brave enough to say it,” says Esping, given how much districts spend on devices and the reliance on online-only learning platforms many have purchased.
Last but not least, a 2018-2020 experience with an intensively online learning platform had helped the district look harder at education technology products.
“I truly think that experience helped our district and our community just have a little bit more critical of an eye on some of those ed tech things that promise the world.”
Previously from The Grade
AI HYPE VS. CHROMEBOOK REMORSE: WHO WILL WIN?
HOW TO COVER AI IN SCHOOLS: AN EXPERT’S ADVICE
AI-ASSISTED ED NEWS IS ALREADY HERE
Edtech coverage, the hype cycle, and media complicity
AltSchool, media hype, & the innovation dilemma
