Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Samantha Ritts
Towson University
Executive Summary
After the COVID-19 pandemic, face to face learning took a back seat in the midst of
transitioning from fully online learning to hybrid learning. Hybrid learning can be defined as
combining online learning with face to face physical learning. Textbooks and standard classroom
materials such as workbooks, manipulatives and standard school materials like notebooks and
pencils were replaced with laptops and digital manipulatives, taking away the ideology behind
“hands on learning”. Additionally, during this time the growing demand for digital classroom
materials also meant increased technological and digital media exposure for students across the
globe, i.e., more screen time. While technological integration provides many educational benefits
such as ease in accessibility, adaptability and creativity for instruction, there are also major
drawbacks with too much technological exposure, especially for elementary aged students. This
professional development plan was created for the purpose of educating the greater education
community on the importance and overall necessity in maintaining a healthy technology balance.
Additionally, it will serve to promote a technology and digital media curriculum or program
which is currently lacking in Calvert County Public Schools. This program should emphasize
limiting the amount of student exposures to technology for elementary age students. More
specifically, this plan is also meant to provide substantial research on the neurological and
overall developmental health impacts of overexposure to technology and digital media. The
following professional development plan is aligned with both the ISTE Standards for Educators
and ISTE Standards for Coaches. Additional details about these standards are featured in the
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) had a
role in the CCPS curriculum. Students in the intermediate grades (grades 3-5) were given one to
one laptops however, these were devices that were strictly accessed at school only. Primary
grades (k-2) had more limited access to technology. This included shared classroom iPads and/or
computer carts that contained student laptops or iPads. Educators demonstrated great competence
and understanding when it came to technological integration in the classrooms and curriculum.
Educators attended quarterly professional development seminars for all subject areas including
Instructional Technology. The county currently has three (3) instructional technology teacher
specialists that routinely circulate all of the schools in the county and will go into classrooms to
help teachers with technology integration and offer one to one sessions to work with educators.
However, there was not a significant need or reason to solely rely on technology and digital
The pandemic completely refaced the way educators conducted instruction. By the end of
the 2020 school year, school systems across the globe had fully shifted to online/virtual
instruction. In CCPS, virtual instruction took place through the school’s learning management
system, Schoology and via Microsoft Teams. During this time, students in all grade levels were
given one-to-one devices in order to attend to virtual instruction. Some students and families
even received free Wi-Fi modems and other resources to make online learning more accessible.
Although this was the only appropriate solution at the time to meet student needs, it also meant
an increase in the amount of screen time students were exposed to on a daily basis. Considering
the average school day (not including partial day programs), students were in front of a screen
4
for nearly eight hours. This does not account for the time needed to complete assignments
outside of the instructional day, and any additional time dedicated for use of personal devices
(iPhones, tablets/iPads, laptops, etc.) This greatly exceeds the 1-2 hours of recommended screen
time as advised by the Center for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics
(2013).
After the 2019-2020 pandemic school year, school systems were finally transitioning
back to face to face instruction. In the face of obvious, lost academic progress, as well as
acclimating to the demands of school routines, expectations, and even social interactions,
teachers faced a whole plethora of deficits that went and continue to go way beyond academic
In 2020, CES reported 17% of the student body received specialized instruction in the
form of 504 Accommodations and/or Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). By 2022, this
percentage grew to 20%, indicating a substantial increase of students who were identified with
having deficits (MSDE, 2022). Identified deficits can range from academics such as reading,
social-emotional/behavioral, social communication and physical deficits (fine and gross motor
skills).
This school year, new deficits in the areas of social communication, cooperative play,
shared attention and space, and emotional dysregulation plague elementary aged and early
childhood classrooms. Parents and teachers of early childhood classrooms share their concerns
with young children’s reliance on technology and how it may potentially impact their
well as developmental issues in eyesight, fine motor skills, and even neurological processes. In
5
an interview with Mary Malloy, a 25 year veteran kindergarten teacher at Saint Leonard
Elementary School in CCPS, she explained, “We are seeing an increase in the number of
children entering early childhood programs with significant areas of need. These children are not
able to communicate their wants and needs, ask for help when needed. We’re also seeing an
increase in maladaptive behaviors in the forms of frequent tantrums, physical outbursts and
aggression towards others. When students spend most of their day in isolated behaviors, they’re
not accessing instruction. When we put them in front of a screen, they completely disengage
from the world and each other. I am also noticing these students do not engage in parallel play or
cooperative play in fact, many of them would rather play on a tablet than go outside for recess.”
As a special education regional program teacher, Malloy also explained the rising number of
identified students with ADHD and ADD. “I believe this is largely attributed to overexposure to
screen and a lack of exposure to developmentally appropriate toys such as blocks, trucks,
dramatic play toys. It is often you go out in the community and see a child at a restaurant or in a
grocery cart and they are holding a phone or an iPad. There is no social communication or
School Focus
The school in focus for this professional development plan is Calvert Elementary School
(CES). CES is located in Calvert County, Maryland. CES serves as the one of the oldest and
most centrally located elementary schools in the county. It houses several special education
regional programs and is one of the demonstration schools for inclusive education under the
The front of the school is home to Early Childhood classrooms and programs (Pre-K and
Kindergarten). The center of the school is comprised of 1st grade classrooms in addition to the
6
school-wide computer lab. There are 37 computers in the lab as well as a Smart Board. As you
make your way to the back of the school, you’ll notice small pods of open space classrooms
comprised of the intermediate grades. Each pod houses a grade level for third, fourth, and fifth
grades. At the very back on the right side of the school is the cafeteria and music room. The very
backside of the school features the second grade pod which is actually an extension trailer that
was added onto the school in 1999. CES has had several external additions over the course of its
life including 5 trailers. Each classroom houses 2 student computers in the form of traditional
desktops. Despite students having one to one devices, desktop computers are a classroom
necessity for those who forget to charge their laptops or forget their personal devices entirely.
The school is located in a suburban area of Prince Frederick. This is a relatively heavily
However, as a Title I school, CES primarily serves a large population of low incomes students
and families. CES was built in 1985 making it the oldest elementary school and the only non-
renovated elementary school. It was due for completed reconstruction in 2019, but after COVID-
19 the school’s reconstruction took a back seat behind Beach Elementary School. CES is hoped
to be reconstructed in 2025.
According to the Maryland Report Card Website provided by MSDE, Calvert Elementary
School serves 513 students. Of those 513 students, 51% are female and 49% are male. A further
breakdown of the school’s ethnicity shows a student population comprised of 60% of white
students, 20% African American, 10% Multi-race, 6% Hispanic, and less than 1% for Native
American and Asian students. CES was deemed a Title I school in 2016. In order for a school to
qualify for Title I funding and programs, 40% or more of the students must come from
documented low-income families. As a Title I one school, 30% of CES students receive free and
7
reduced meals (FARMS). Another notable student population at CES are those receiving
specialized instruction. At CES, approximately 17% of students make up those with specific
learning disabilities or identified learning accommodations. However, this percentage does not
reflect the number of regional special education programs that are currently present at CES,
those students are not accounted for in the school’s demographics. The current education staff at
According to the school’s 2022 report card provided by the Maryland State Department
of Education (MSDE), Calvert Elementary School demonstrated a score of 70% for overall
achievement, overall academic progress, school quality and student success. In regard to
Mathematics and 50% scored Proficient in English Language Arts (2022-2023 data has not been
Learning Needs
In completing the needs assessment for Calvert Elementary School several years after its
transition from fully virtual instruction, four ISTE Educator standards demanded intervention.
These four standards include the teacher as a Learner, Collaborator, Designer, and Analyst.
Many teachers within the school understood the benefits of technology and what it was able to
provide during the pandemic, but in light of new deficits and the growing number of students
with identified areas of need, it was clear that intervention and a new approach to instruction was
necessary. Educators needed recent research in order to show the impacts of not regulating
methodologies, teachers would need additional resources and collaborative time with subject
8
matter experts. Additionally, they would need to educate the greater school community (to
include parents and families) on the need for a healthy technology balance and neglecting this
In the project plan, Indicator 2.1.a and c emphasize the role of the teacher as a Learner. In
this regard, teachers will need current research on how a reliance on technology in combination
with a lack of technological balance will impact child development, emotionally and physically.
With this research, teachers will be responsible for creating learning goals that coincide with
current technology standards and the current health curriculum in order to create more effective
instructional practices that promote a healthy technology balance. The current year long health
curriculum features one unit on digital citizenship, and abuse of technology and digital media
use. This type of information is taught exclusively in one unit during one time of the school year.
The unit does not include the research behind too much technological exposure and the impacts
it has on development. It is important for students to understand these impacts in a way that
allows them to make healthy decisions when it comes to technological integration at school and
in their personal lives. Indicator 2.4 will allow teachers to collaborate with fellow colleagues,
school administration and content supervisors to research and develop new learning goals to
incorporate into the current health curriculum or create a new program entirely. This may also
mean revisiting current practices and resources to ensure the curriculum is not overpromoting
time spent on the computer to complete applications such as Dreambox, Lexia and EpicReads.
Students should have access to other supplemental and complimentary forms of instruction that
At this point, teachers are well versed in the LMS, Schoology, and understand the use
case of many of the district approved learning applications. These should serve to supplement
9
current instructional practices but should not be completely relied upon. If the daily
recommended amount of individual screen time is up 2 hours, the school system needs to greatly
revisit how much time students are on their devices during the school day. Indicator 2.5 will
focus on the design and development of activities that will promote the research behind the need
for a healthy technology balance. As a result, and after learning the downstream impacts of too
much technological and digital media exposure, students will be responsible for naming and
incorporating practices that create a “healthy balance” of technology at school and in their
personal home lives. These will become year-long, school-wide policies in each classroom,
much like how classrooms create their own “Rights and Rules” at the beginning of the year.
The goal of this plan is that in the next three to four years, and after thoughtful
collaboration and research, teachers will be able to successfully integrate healthy technology
practices exclusively through the current health curriculum and as a district wide approach to
limited technology exposure in young children. This plan will bridge the gap between healthy
technology practices and child development. A healthy technology balance involves utilizing
technology and digital media tools to transform the way teachers provide instruction, enhance
learning opportunities and remove learning barriers for students. It should not be a single reliant
Literature Support
Although technology and digital media may not be today’s leading health concern, the
question surrounding children’s exposure to recreational screen time and the impacts it may have
offered incredible benefits during the pandemic. It allowed for students, teachers and people in
general to connect in a time when isolation was an international norm for health and safety. It
10
was a means to an end; it virtually brought school communities together and provided access to
instruction and academics in the best way possible. Fast forward almost three and half years later
and school systems are offering virtual academies for students who do not wish to return to face
to face instruction. In the face of online learning replacing the experiences of a physical school
environment, teachers and the greater school community are beginning to see a rise in academic
deficits, psychosocial deficits and a growing trend in increased body mass indexes in young
children.
A 2010 study conducted in Canada concluded the long-term risks of screen exposure in
approximately two thousand children ages 2-10 years of age. The results concluded decreased
classroom engagement by nearly 10% for each increased hour of exposure, and 5% increase in
body mass indexes as a result of 13% decrease in overall daily physical activity. The study
verified the long-term risks of screen time overexposure in young children. These risks are
associated with unhealthy psychosocial and physical health dispositions in young children
(Pagani et al, 2010). Another study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (2010) found
that the average 8-20 year old spends nearly 8 hours a day on different forms of media, and
teenagers spend more than 11 hours on different media types per day.
inform the greater community about the impacts of an imbalance of technology how educators,
parents and families can help mitigate long-term negative impacts with simple interventions. One
recommendation includes educating school boards including teachers and administration about
the evidence based health risks associated with unlimited and media use by children. These risks
include sleep deprivation, and overall cognitive function. In a review of studies, researchers
discovered a positive association with increased screen time and sleep delays of up to 10 minutes
11
per 60 minutes of screen use (including cell phones, iPads, laptops and television). In the same
review, researchers found positive correlations with increased blue light exposure and negative
mental health outcomes such as: depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, inattention and poorer social
communication and psychosocial health in young children (Stiglic et al, 2019). In contrast,
attempting to mitigate the risks of technological imbalance may also provide beneficial influence
on violence prevention programs, sex education and drug-use prevention programs. Thus,
promoting the need for regulating screen time and digital media use, a healthy technology
balance.
If digital media such as cell phones, iPads/tablets, computers, and television screens
mainstreamed in education, it cannot be denied there needs to be some limitation to its use. The
American Academy of Pediatrics and the Council on Communications and Media (2013)
recommends educating school administration about the research based health risks that are
associated with an imbalance of technology. Educators should work collaboratively with parent-
teacher associations to encourage parental limitations and monitoring of children’s screen time.
Additionally, Maryland school systems should collaboratively work together with MSDE to
support the creation and implementation of technology/digital media curriculum for students of
all ages.
ISTE-C Reflection
This professional development plan does not just consider the ISTE Educator standards,
but the ISTE Coaches standards as well. In looking at the ISTE Standards for Coaches, this plan
1) Coaches will serve as a Change Agent to inspire educators to use technology for meaningful
learning opportunities by facilitating the age-appropriate use of digital media tools and content to
enhance learning opportunities and eliminate learning barriers. In this regard, coaches will ensure
technology integration is used to supplement and enhance instruction rather than replace
social communication and collaboration in the classroom with and without digital media tools, as
well as providing learning experiences that are without technology and/or digital media, and
allowing students to research the benefits and negative impacts of overexposure to technology.
2) Coaches will serve as a Professional Learning Facilitator by collaborating with teachers and
those of the greater school community to evaluate the effectiveness and success of digital
learning content and tools that support student learning and do not hinder student development.
This means evaluating the current curriculum with educators to develop learning goals that
support technology balance in order to promote healthy developmental norms in students such as
social communication, physical well-being and emotional-behavioral health. This will also
through teacher feedback and needs assessments to ensure improvements are being made.
3) Additionally, coaches will serve as Digital Citizen Advocates in this plan. Coaches will
support educators, students as well as parents and families in their endeavor to limit and monitor
technology and digital media, and how screen time limitations foster a healthier lifestyle. This
will include modeling behaviors that support media evaluation, limiting engagement and use
with technology and digital media, and even modeling how to protect personal data as part of
Through this professional development plan and the implementation of the ISTE
standards, coaches will be able to provide effective and meaningful support to CCPS in the plan
to develop curriculum standards and learning goals that educate students and the greater school
community on the benefits and overall need for a healthy technology balance.
Project Plan
technology
integration and
best practices in
order to develop
curriculum
resources to
promote
technology
balance
(Quarterly sessions in - Instructional - Schoology, -School based Feedback survey
the 2024-2025 school Technology LMS technology for subsequent
year): Supervisors and coach(es) and sessions:
Teacher Specialists - Microsoft teachers who - what topics
Additional PD sessions Office suite attend the need to be
for school based - School-based (presentation sessions. discussed
technology technology tools) -what was
coaches/liaisons to learn coach(es) who Those who learned/personal
the research behind attend - Internet attend the reflection
overexposure to scheduled -areas of
technology. This will sessions will concern/need
help develop curriculum receive
learning goals and workshop pay to
enhance instructional encourage
practice for current participation.
curriculum.
Performance Indicator 2.1.c Keep Current on Research
Stay current with research that supports improved student learning outcomes.
Actions Steps & Timeline Person(s) Technologies Benefits(s) Assessment
Responsible Employed Method(s)
(Quarterly sessions Administrators and A folder will be Teacher and Teachers will
during the 2025-2026 content supervisors created on administrative submit their
school year): will aid in these Schoology for accountability. learning goals to
teacher PD sessions each grade level. Teachers will content supervisors
As part of adding to the to ensure learning This folder will be able to have and administrators
current health goals are ISTE be accessible by input into for review and
curriculum, grade level standards based and to all educator curriculum approval.
teachers will collaborate align with student staff in CCPS. development
together during planning outcomes for MD this will be a and student
sessions to decide what CCRs. working learning
is most appropriate document. outcomes that
when teaching a healthy are appropriate
technology balance to grade and
based on current age level
research trends that norms.
outline the negative
15
impacts of technology
overexposure on child
development. By the
end of the session,
teachers will create a list
of student learning goals
for approval.
balance developing
supportive and
age appropriate
learning goals
that research
and evidence
based.
Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 - Administrators Various: Teachers get the Feedback forms
will oversee collaborative for planning
After the release of the specified grade Laptops opportunity to sessions with
curriculum via level planning review and plan questions or
Schoology, teachers will sessions to ensure Schoology each quarter concerns
not implement the teachers are how they will
curriculum. Instead, they collaboratively Teacher related implement the
will continue to meet working on the resource websites new curriculum
and plan with grade implementation of one year prior to
level coworkers to go the new official
over how they will technology/digital implementation.
introduce the topics and media curriculum
learning goals and how
they will assess students -Grade level
using provided or teachers
supplemental materials
that align with
curriculum learning
goals and standards.
This also
provides an
opportunity for
the educators to
inform parents
and families of
the benefits and
research behind
a healthy
technology
balance and how
it impacts child
development.
19
References
International Society of Technology in Education ISTE. (2023). ISTE standards for educators.
MSDE. (2022). Maryland report card calvert elementary school. Retrieved October 6, 2023,
from https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/
E/1/04/0207/2022
Pagani, L. S., Fitzpatrick, C., Barnett, T. A., & Dubow, E. (2010). Prospective associations
between early childhood television exposure and academic, psychosocial, and physical
425–431.
Rideout V. Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds. Menlo Park, CA: Kaiser
Stiglic, N., & Viner, R. M. (2019). Effects of screen time on the health and well-being of
children and adolescents: a systematic review of reviews. BMJ open, 9(1), e023191.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023191
20