If you use computers or devices in your classroom then you probably worry about Screen Time. What is screen time? How much is too much? How young is too young for screen time? Photo by  Firza Pratama  on  Unsplash As a classroom teacher I think about screen time when planning my lessons. How can I teach computer skills and use technology without having students looking at a screen for too long?  Let's start with my philosophy on technology in the classroom. Technology should not be used to 'teach' a topic. Technology should be used to enhance the teaching. What does that mean? Instead of using a site or and app to teach skills, I use technology to teach, and teach computer skills at the same time. I use the SAMR model as a guide to evaluate how I am using the technology. And this is where my struggle with screen time begins. There are certain programs teacher must use in the classroom and these often have a time requirement, sometimes up to 90+ minut...
Welcome to my office. I’d offer you a seat, but I can’t get to my own right now.    Show your office. I am sure they meant the office when it is neat and clean. However, this is life. This week I’ve had a huge book order from First Book arrive. This is about 2/3 of the order. My Demco supplies arrived today. Tomorrow night is our STEM family night, and I am doing Plastic Cup towers. Let’s now forget the on going weeding process. Thus the book cart. And the headphones that need a new home. And, And, And...   Most items will be put away by the end of the week. Until then, this is it.   I also have an office at home. It is fairly clean. Mainly because I misplaced a ring two weeks ago. Since I am notorious for taking them off while working, I cleaned my desk to look for it.   The Dell monitor is new. I like working on a larger screen. I can scale the page to actual size. I get a true sense of placement and what the final page will look like.   I may or m...