How to Run a Classroom That's Not Screen-Dependent (Opinion)

A not-screen-dependent classroom blends intentional tech use with hands-on activities. Larry Ferlazzo, a veteran educator with more than two decades in English and social studies, explains that technology should be used when it adds real value and avoided when it doesn’t. In this piece, educators including Rose Hill describe balancing screens with offline materials, mindful of the time students already spend on devices. In middle school settings, many students carry phones, and despite Texas’ ban on student phone use during the school day, teachers still curb screen time and rely on analog resources when they work best. A practical tool highlighted is ZipGrade, which lets a teacher create custom scan sheets tied to standards; with 160-plus students, grading would be onerous without it, and data are delivered by question and skill swiftly. The article also emphasizes front‑end planning for tech-free engagement, proposing tactile tasks, movement-based activities, and station rotations that foster reading, writing, and collaboration.