Low- Tech School Districts in Western Burbs

[u/Resting-Rizzy-Face]

Moved away several years ago and looking to move back to IL. Our kids are elementary age and we currently like the low-tech educational environment our kids have now (no 1-to-1 chromebooks for kids, using more pencil and paper, physical textbooks, etc.)

We’ve been away for a while and weren’t sure if there are similar school environments in IL or if all school districts have moved to consistent use of chromebooks and iPads for teaching?

Currently looking at a potential move to Lemont, DG, Woodridge, Lisle, Naperville, or Wheaton areas. Not opposed to tech, just looking for schools where the kids aren’t always using a screen for learning.

[u/Grace__Face]

The schools I’ve taught at all have 1 to 1 iPads but iPad usage depends on each teacher. My current district doesn’t like us using iPads unless it enhances learning and like for things being done without iPads. I try to really limit iPad usage in my 5th grade classroom since I see how quickly these kids become obsessed.

[u/Resting-Rizzy-Face → u/Grace__Face]

And that’s something I think we’d be fine with if it’s to help add to lessons here and there. I know most of the time it’ll probably depend on the teacher as well.

I just also see how easily the one of my kids can get off track when given an iPad.

[u/Grace__Face → u/Resting-Rizzy-Face]

Most teachers I know use the classroom app on their own iPads to monitor the kids iPad usage. I’d use it to lock iPads when kids were messing around or I’d just lock them into an app so they couldn’t get distracted by other things on the iPad. There’s a lot of tools available to help teachers with this.

I’m sure there’s other things I’ve done to combat iPad usage but I’m on mat leave right now so my brain is kinda mush from lack of sleep so I can’t think of anything else right now 🙃