Balancing the benefits of technology against its distractions, especially for middle school students, is an important topic for educators and parents alike. Recently I shared some tips on starting a conversation with your student about her use of technology. Remember, our Middle School students have a facility with the device that adults usually do not. However, there is a need for parents to monitor the way a student uses his or her device.

Typically, parents have the knowledge and children still have something to learn. With tech, the tables are often turned. At Shorecrest, an Apple Distinguished School, technology and the iPad are threaded into our Middle School days. As a result, our Middle School students have a facility with the device that adults usually do not. However, there is a need for parents to monitor the way a student uses his or her device. Here are some starting points for a conversation with your Middle School student about using the iPad appropriately and avoiding distractions.

(or, What I learned from the ASCD Conference on Educational Leadership 2016)

I was fortunate enough to attend my second Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Conference last month outside Washington D.C.  ASCD conferences focus on putting research based ideas into practice in the classroom.  Here are my three big takeaways from my three days at the conference.

It seems as though every time parents figure out the best way to guide and manage an adolescent's tech usage, it's a new app, website or workaround that takes parents back to square one! Here are three more hacks to help you keep your adolescent safe and smart online: 

It’s hard keeping track of all of the tech that is out there these days. A lot of times our digital-native children know new apps and tools before parents do! Fortunately, there are some easy tips that will make parenting an adolescent in the 21st century a little easier.