Bend-La Pine School District considers limiting iPad use in early grades

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Bend-La Pine School District board recently moved a resolution forward to address concerns about public education technology. The proposal specifically aims to change how iPads are distributed to students in kindergarten through second grade and how artificial intelligence is used in classrooms.

The goal of this initiative is to improve student-to-student interaction and reduce dependency on technology in learning.

Currently, the school district provides iPads to students in kindergarten through second grade. The board heard from parents and teachers for close to 10 minutes, expressing a desire for the board to approve a policy that would change how iPads are distributed to students, as well as regulate the use of AI.

A teacher at Bend-La Pine Schools shared her perspective on the absence of iPads in her classroom. "There's a buzzing as my students talk read move about the room. (...) And yet I feel pride because in absence of their Ipads my students have learned to be learners," the teacher said.

A parent of a student at Bend-La Pine Schools expressed concerns about their child's technology use. The parent noted their child's understanding of the world.

"And then I get to school and I see him go to a room and he joins the rest of his classroom of sitting down in front of an ipad," the parent stated.

Reporter Spencer Sacks observed that no one expressed opposition to removing iPads from classrooms, especially for students in kindergarten through second grade. When the board discussed the proposal, members spoke about the need to gather more information to inform their decision. One specific piece of information the board seeks is data on websites currently used by students.

Director Amy Tatom indicated that YouTube was the most visited website in Bend-La Pine schools. This resolution is part of a broader year-long change within the district regarding technology use. Earlier this school year, the board approved a ban on cell phones inside schools.