Digital devices are a part of all of our lives. At Breck, we prepare students with the skills needed to leverage these tools in ways that deepen their learning and allow them to express their ideas in new ways. The Breck Innovation Team recommends the following guiding principles with regards to creating the conditions for healthy technology use.
Creating a healthy environment
Clear expectations
Breck’s expectation is that school devices be used for academic purposes. During the school day, our faculty reinforce these expectations. In your home, you may allow for personal use on the device once homework and other obligations are completed. Have a conversation with your child to establish clear and consistent expectations around use of technology in your household.
Good Modeling
Children learn from what adults say and what adults do. Adults can model when, where, and how devices are used. For example, silencing devices and leaving them in another room during dinner. Other examples of modeling include a defined downtime after school, no screens an hour before sleep, and intentional technology-free activities.
Intentional Environments
Making common agreements about where devices are used is even more important in a time when children are learning from home and many adults are working from home. To the extent possible, set up physical spaces for school-related work. Homework might be done at a desk or table, preferably in a common space. Creating the mood and environment as, “this is the place where work is done” as opposed to entertainment, socializing, or sleep can help students focus. More importantly, setting up these spaces with your child helps them learn how to organize their learning environment to be successful.
Device Restrictions
Filtering
Breck student devices are broadly prevented from accessing potentially harmful websites and services with a network-based service called Cisco Umbrella. At school, a student’s device is filtered from accessing pornography, violent content, or similar websites. If you want to manage internet access for devices connected to your wifi, you may look at the features offered either by your internet service provider or home network to create further restrictions.
It is important to note that no filtering technology is perfect, and students often find ways to access the sites and services they are seeking. All wifi filtering can also be circumvented by using a hotspot from a phone. Therefore, taking time to discuss and establish clear tech-use guidelines with your child is key to helping them build and maintain healthy practices.
Questions
Contact support@breckschool.org or view our online support center at https://support.breckschool.org