"Should We Ban Screens from the Classroom?" Mar. 25 (W) at 3:30pm

[Daniel Lake]

 *The Institute for Ethics in Public Life invites you to join us for
"Should We Ban Screens from the Classroom?" On Wednesday, March 25 at
3:30pm. This panel discussion will feature Dr. Heidi Schnackenberg, Dr.
Kathryn Alton, Mr. Adam Staab, and Ms. Hannah Anctil, and will be moderated
by Dr. Alison Puliatte, Assoc. Prof. of Education and Fellow at the
Institute.*

In recent decades we have seen an increased adoption of technology in
classroom
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.economist.com/briefing/2013/06/29/catching-on-at-last&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw0Yjelgu4JceBBr4pIMWFXm>s.
This was driven by arguments that we could improve learning by increasing
the use of technology
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2017/07/22/together-technology-and-teachers-can-revamp-schools&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw0I07tZfADqpuRzMhxHnNGb>
in the classroom, as well as that it would improve equity by removing the
digital divide
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.gcu.edu/blog/teaching-school-administration/how-using-technology-teaching-affects-classrooms&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw04SQ8VTA2I7WmiD6NznNPX>.
This was seen as particularly impactful for poor countrie
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.economist.com/international/2018/11/17/in-poor-countries-technology-can-make-big-improvements-to-education&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw3Bnn4Akmbx3Zho22YCsha6>s.
>From smart boards to computers and tablets to educational software K-12
classrooms have been transformed by tech in recent decades.

However, in recent years technology in the classroom has increasingly been
questioned. This isn't really surprising, since over a decade ago there was
already research
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-learning-secret-don-t-take-notes-with-a-laptop/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw3k0h5HJqBb3uL9tyGMtPZn>indicating
that using laptops and tablets to take notes was inferior for student
learningthan taking them on paper.  The movement to ban cellphones from
classrooms, while not related to education technology *per se*, is becoming a
broad international phenomenon
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/09/03/schools-should-banish-smartphones-from-the-classroom&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw3rZvGTCKZFH6Sco9Iw6rPF>
as evidence has mounted that cellphones and social media is harming the
mental health of young people and interfering with their education by
distracting them. The increasing use of computers in the classroom and
educational technology is itself being criticized on the grounds that it is
"profitable but mostly useless
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/01/22/ed-tech-is-profitable-it-is-also-mostly-useless&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw3Ky3TYTmdEWxBfhd8JHYPF>",
or even harmful for student learning (see here
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.afterbabel.com/p/false-promise-of-device-based-ed&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw2K64ZJffhi3bfJDWfBE-Qf>,
here
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.afterbabel.com/p/the-edtech-revolution-has-failed&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw05Ot7BA-aIRFTgX70r4C9k>,
here
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.afterbabel.com/p/sophie-winkleman-tech-schools&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw06hAdheK0FGci3VAsdxnBg>,
and here
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.afterbabel.com/p/edtech-tragedy&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw1YxlvUPJavFzbNMHdJstLe>).
Not surprisingly, edtech companies are pushing back by claiming there is "no
evidence of harm
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.afterbabel.com/p/edtech-borrowing-zuckerbergs-playbook&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw3vaz1gUGcfC38XqaEv0X2y>"
from their products.

We are now seeing governments becoming more skeptical about technology in
the classroom. The most aggressive policy is that of Denmark, which has
largely banned devices and edtech from the classroom
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.upworthy.com/gen-z-technology-schools/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw2XwcEjXDrK6DBrgsjlkjxA>.
By going back to physical textbooks and assignments with minimal device
usage for the 2025-26 school year they are already seeing beneficial
impacts in the classroom.

So, should we all be banning technology from our classrooms as a way to
improve student learning?

Panelists include:
Dr. Heidi Schnackenberg, Co-Chair and Professor of Education
Dr. Kathryn Alton, Assistant Professor of Education
Mr. Adam Staab, NYS Master Teacher, High School Mathematics Teacher,
Copenhagen Central School District
Ms. Hannah Anctil, Teacher Candidate, SUNY Plattsburgh

Please join us in person in the Thomas Moran Seminar Room of the Institute
for Ethics in Public Life (Hawkins 233) or on Zoom (see below).

Topic: Screens in the classroom
Time: Mar 25, 2026 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://plattsburgh.zoom.us/j/83209769108
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://plattsburgh.zoom.us/j/83209769108&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1774372609260141&usg=AOvVaw219KttMDj2J_ZkwdClqPBK>

Meeting ID: 832 0976 9108
---
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+16469313860,,83209769108# US
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-- 

*Daniel Lake*

(pronouns: he/him/his)

Professor of Political Science

Director, Institute for Ethics in Public Life

Hawkins 149A

101 Broad Street
<https://maps.google.com/?q=101+Broad+Street+Plattsburgh,+NY+12901&entry=gmail&source=g>

Plattsburgh, NY 12901
<https://maps.google.com/?q=101+Broad+Street+Plattsburgh,+NY+12901&entry=gmail&source=g>

(o) 518-564-5833 <(518)%5645833>

*plattsburgh.edu <http://plattsburgh.edu/>*
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