Digital Detox

I'd like to introduce you to Lori Poleway, Thomas Worthington Library Media Specialist. Lori and I have the opportunity to work together as educators in Worthington Schools and I am honored to publish her story, "Digital Detox" on my Dream Big blog.

Thanks to Lori for all that she does to help the students at TWHS learn and grow.

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Digital Detox                                                                                

Lori Poleway                                                                                                                        

Thomas Worthington Library Media Specialist

A Google search for the phrase “tech addiction” produced 123,000,000 results in .53 seconds on February 26th 2018.   Parents, teachers, and even students will admit that their phones are harder and harder to live without and the controversy over use/abuse in the educational setting has increased in recent years as classroom teachers compete with the entertaining features of smartphones.  We also see the benefits that technology can provide and many of us admit that multitasking is the new normal.

At Thomas Worthington, administrator Greg Garris has had discussions with students about phone use during the school day. Many students report that their phones are deeply ingrained in all areas of their lives. They also admit, somewhat begrudgingly, that their phones can be a significant distraction. Homework, studying, and reading all take longer than they should because of the frequent interruptions coming from their phone. They are not ready to hand over their phones just yet, but agree that there are measures that could be put in place to limit the distractions.

During a recent OCC high school library media conference, one media specialist shared her “Tech Free Friday” program.  I was very excited about providing an opportunity for students to shut down the tech and interact with one another. A number of elementary and middle schools have implemented Maker Spaces to support creative collaboration, but that would be a little tricky in a high school setting where most students elect to come to the library to study.  In an effort to maintain the integrity of the library setting as a work/study space, I proposed my own version of tech free Friday to the department chairs and the administrators to get their reactions.  

For one Friday a month (Final Friday), students can elect to come from academic prep to play card or board games, work on puzzles, color, craft, build with legos, or read.  If a student needed to study quietly, use a chromebook, or their phone they would stay in their prep room for the period.  Seniors hoping to study would need to report to the CARDs Center.   The staff and administrators responded with an enthusiastic and unanimous, “Yes!”

However, “No!” was the initial response from students. The week of  Friday October 27th I posted signs, emailed, tweeted, and audibly announced that Friday would be “Tech Free” in the library.  Games would be available and students who needed to study should stay in their prep rooms. The first group of student arrived at 7:45. They were asked to sign in on a legal pad using their favorite color pen. (I was committed to giving up my scanner, computer, and phone to protect the zone.)  Students were told to put away phones--even headphones.  No, computers--unless they were just printing.  One student questioned the use of lights since they used electric technology.  I quickly determined that if the technology existed in the 70’s it could be used.

“No! Wait, you were serious? But I need to…...”

“No way! I need my phone. I can’t even listen to music?”  

“I have a test and the review sheet is online.”

“This is so dumb.  The library is suppose to be for studying!”

And my favorite, “This is absolutely the very worst idea anyone in this school has ever had!”

Even as I implored them to indulge in some down time for just 50 minutes, several students elected to return to the refuge of their prep rooms and their phones.  Most students who came in were willing to give the idea a try and they timidly selected games to play.   Chess, Yahtzee, Mancala, Jenga, Risk, Battleship, and Apples to Apples were a few of the most popular.  Several decks of cards were available with printed directions for various games.  Uno was soon a favorite.  It was great to hear students negotiate, discuss, argue, hold one another accountable, and cry out in joy when they won!

And so I spent the day watching or teaching students how to play card and board games.  And then they taught me variations they have played at home.  I got to listen to them teach each other.  And they realized that 50 minutes might not be enough time to play a game of Uno with a group of 6 friends.  They wanted to stay longer.

One student who spends most days watching videos on her phone during her first period late arrival told me, very seriously, that she had been thinking about trying to read a book.  “Hmmmm,”  I said.  “Would you like me to show you some of the titles that other students have read and really liked?”   Her response?  “Yes!”  Truly a win-win!

Worthington Students are Amazing...Coding Class at Park!

In my role as Chief Academic Officer in the The Worthington Schools, I have the pleasure of working with our Library Media Specialists. Check out the latest "Guest Blog Post" from Mrs. Jacquie Schmittauer and the coding work she is leading at

Worthington Park Elementary School.

Thanks, Jacquie!

CODING CLASS AT PARK

By: Jacquie Schmittauer

Worthington Park
Library Media Teacher

Code.org is a nonprofit organization that started the Hour of Code a few years ago. It was started as a way to bring computer programming into schools. The goal of the program was to increase participation in the field of computer science. Exposure at a young age would hopefully increase people in that career field. As a library media teacher who teaches all of the students at Worthington Park, I had all students participate in this international event for the past three years. It is always my favorite topic to teach, but one I find challenging to learn.

This year Google introduced their new curriculum for computer coding called Google CS First. The step by step program is free for educators. They even provide passport-style booklets with stickers, directions, and (thank goodness) answer keys to help direct a course for students. Video game creation is one of the courses they have developed and sounded like a fun, motivating option for students. I began the first semester with interested sixth graders.

After the first class, I knew that these students would easily pass my slow pace and knowledge.  As I have told them many times before, I was learning as they were learning. I told the students that I had a limited knowledge and that we would learn together. It was exciting to have students who were so motivated to learn.

At the end of the first semester, we started another class with more students who were interested. After seeing the excitement and expertise that developed with my first class’ students, I was disappointed to see my group move on. At this point I had a thought about one of my students who clearly is a natural at coding.Talking to him individually after the last class, I offered him the opportunity to be the teacher of the next class. I told him to think about it because he may want to participate in one of the other classes. He took a few days to consider it and then came to me to accept. As the new class began the new teacher was excited but nervous. We had talked through what he needed to do and what I would do to help support him. It took about 15 minutes for his peers to really believe he would be teaching. After the first five minutes, I knew this was the best decision that I made this entire year….maybe longer.

Over the past weeks I have seen my new sixth grade teacher grow into his role. I look forward to watching him each Friday and it warms my heart. There have been a couple of times I thought I needed to step in due to misbehavior in a couple other students in the class. Nope, he took care of it like a pro with the other students falling right back into learning. Watching his peers ask him questions and then his responses….best experience of my years of teaching. The things he remembers to say that he has heard me say was the greatest compliment of all. The delight in his eyes when he sees his friend/student learns what he taught….priceless.

Okay, maybe I am a bit late to the party to reach this epiphany in year 29. I know all teachers are told to not be the “sage on the stage”. Of course I have had many students explain and show and present to MY classes. This was completely handing over the reins and stepping completely back. Scary....Different...Seems easy….But SUPER HARD for a teacher at any level of experience.  I highly recommend any teacher try it! Students truly do surprise and amaze you!

**Many thanks to Hadi Partovi and Code.Org for introducing me to coding. Thanks also to Google for the CS First Program. Thank you to my student teacher for inspiring me! He is going to do great things in the future!