Technology Essentials in Education Episode 7:
Future-Proofing Classroom Technology: Sustainable Choices

Hello there. My name is Monica Burns and welcome to Technology Essentials and Education. Today I have a fantastic interview to share with you. This episode is future-proofing classroom technology: sustainable choices with Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman. I am thrilled to chat with a fellow ASCD and ISTE author and a former colleague. We're going to dive into the topic of future-proofing classroom technology and how to make sustainable choices. She shares many great tips for educators who are ready to streamline their tech and keep things simple throughout the school year. If you want strategies to make your classroom tech easier, less stressful, and more reliable, this conversation is packed with actionable advice.

This episode is brought to you by Jotform. Jotform provides an all-in-one solution to streamline administrative tasks, enhance community engagement, and foster innovation using their no-code drag-and-drop forms and workflows. Your teams can securely collect and store data, automate tasks, and collaborate on team resources. Educational institutions are eligible for a 30% discount on Jotform Enterprise. Head to their website to learn more: jotform.com/enterprise/education.

Welcome to the podcast. I'm so excited to have you on today to talk about future-proofing classroom technology and sustainable choices for educators. But before we get into all of that, Tammy, can you share with us a bit about your role in education? What does your day-to-day look like?

Hi Monica, it's good to be back on your podcast. My day-to-day is really different, which is fun. I am the owner of Planz Education Services. Through that, I do workshops and teacher coaching, and the message is really about sustainable practices. We're looking at how minimalist approaches and simplicity can help sustain us in our roles and how we can translate that into what we do in classrooms. A lot of the coaching I do with teachers around the country focuses on working smarter, not harder, which is very relevant right now because there's a lot of overload happening for teachers. Finding the right routines and systems to bring into your work can be easier said than done.

You and I have worked together in the past and you've taught in New York City classrooms, Hawaii classrooms, and Canada as well. Now you coach educators across several states and different places. How have these different contexts shaped the way you think about sustainable technology choices?

It's interesting because while there are some regional differences for teachers, essentially teachers have the same struggles in different places, whether in Hawaii, California, Tennessee, or Arizona. I look for trends in what's happening in classrooms and think about how to help teachers practice sustainability, whether in instructional practices or technology. Every classroom I coach in has one-to-one devices, and many teachers, especially new ones, have to figure out routines and systems just to manage the devices themselves. Even though people are in different states, there's a common struggle with technology, similar to when we were teaching together in New York City a long time ago when our school went one-to-one around 2012.

Back then, we had to learn quickly how to make technology use a routine and sustainable system so everyone knew what to do when using technology. It's super interesting. I also work with schools in many places, and it's interesting to see that while terms for systems or routines may differ, there are many similarities. Over the past decade, many classrooms are one-to-one with devices, which presents its own classroom management challenges despite the benefits of having access to devices. It can be tough to manage another thing in the classroom, especially if you want routines to feel sustainable as devices or things change during the school year. Your new book promotes minimalism in the classroom. How does this philosophy guide decision-making around digital tools?

Education and edtech can be separate fields, but technology and advancements are increasing and changing rapidly. The landscape is broad. When thinking about minimalism and edtech, whether tools or apps, we want to use things that add value to what we're doing. Edtech is integrated into everything we do because teachers use computers daily for different purposes. It's easy to get lost in all the emails, Google docs, and other tools. We have to think about which tools add the most value. Even if a tool is mandated by your school or district, we can find the essentials and focus on the parts that lend themselves well to instruction. It can feel overwhelming to do everything at once, but breaking it down into smaller steps and choosing the best value tools makes it manageable. Stepping back and deciding how to use a tool can make things easier.

Identifying the value-add and being intentional about choices is important. When thinking about formative assessment and technology, it's crucial to consider the benefit. Is hearing student voice helpful? Is having a system for reviewing student data useful? Many teachers feel pressure to try every new platform or feature, often attracted to shiny, colorful, or crowded booths at conferences. What does minimalism look like when the tech landscape changes so frequently, almost daily with new tools?

The shiny object can be very attractive, promising to help. But I am cautious of trends and don't jump on new tools right away. I want to hear about new tools that might help efficiency, but I need to understand the benefits before adopting them. Many educators need to be careful about jumping on things too quickly. It's important to think about what you already use and how it benefits your work. Will switching add value or just be a distraction? Often, new tools end up unused. We all have those experiences of forgetting about tools that took time but didn't stick. I often tell people to pick one or two ideas from presentations, share them with a friend, and maybe keep some in reserve. Resources are there, but don't try to do everything at once. It's hard to have sustainable practice if it's continuously interrupted.

A quick note from the presenter of today's episode, Jotform. Jotform lets you build forms in minutes, including student surveys, homework submissions, quizzes, and more. You can start from scratch or use free templates designed for teachers, schools, and districts. Learn more about Jotform and how educational institutions can get a 30% discount on Jotform Enterprise at jotform.com/enterprise/education.

As you coach educators, what criteria do you use to help them evaluate whether a tool will last beyond a school year?

I ask what they're currently using and if it's meeting their needs. I also look at the life of the tool or platform—how long it's been around, how many people use it, and if it continues to meet needs. If there's no need to switch, why change? It's important to regularly audit and evaluate tools. If there's a gap, do some research to find something more comprehensive. Reviews help to see how people use the tool and what they say about it.

Reviews also help me gather ideas and feel confident that an investment of time is worthwhile, rather than adopting something unexpected. From a sustainable practice perspective, it's important to have healthy boundaries when using technology. Where do healthy boundaries and tech minimalism fit into sustainability?

We need to look through different lenses. Kindergarteners use devices for short times to play math games or practice letters, which is developmentally appropriate. We want to avoid long device sessions for young kids and be mindful of what they do at home. Teaching healthy digital citizenship means not being on devices all the time.

As kids get older, they're on devices more often, like in third grade using screens for research, typing, or watching videos. Teachers should consider how students interact with content and whether tech is heavily relied on. Students need skills for future jobs, but we must practice human skills like collaboration and writing together. Planning should include breaks from screens and varied engagement. Tech minimalism and healthy boundaries are important but easy to overlook.

We've become over-reliant on devices in some cases, which is worrisome. Middle schoolers do much on laptops, including math lessons and essays. Striking a balance is challenging but essential. Sustainable practices should include this conversation because it's not just about device longevity or tool fit but also about interactions with devices.

For school leaders wanting to model sustainable digital habits, how can they do that?

School leaders face overwhelm from district demands and are the first line of messaging. They need time to process information before sharing it with staff. They should focus on what adds the greatest value and fits the school's mission and vision. Identifying multi-use tools helps because some productivity tools serve many purposes. Leaders need to process information carefully to share targeted and clear messages. This can be challenging as leaders may feel siloed without sounding boards, but it's important to consider how things will work best for their context.

I love the emphasis on finding and sharing things that give the most bang for your buck, whether financially or in terms of capacity to learn and apply new technology intentionally in classrooms.

Tammy, this was very useful and actionable for listeners. As I mentioned, you have a new book. Where can people connect with you and learn more about your work?

I can be found on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/tamlanz and on Instagram as Planz Education. My recent book, Your School Leadership Edit, is newly out through Routledge. My other book, The Minimalist Teacher, is available through ASCD and on Amazon. I also have a podcast with my co-author called The Minimalist Educator Podcast, available on YouTube and Instagram.

Fantastic. Thank you so much, Tammy, for your time today and for sharing these great ideas with listeners.

It was lots of fun chatting with Tammy today. Let's make this PT easy with a few key points from today's episode. Minimalism helps educators focus on tools that truly add value. Don't adopt every new tool; wait, evaluate, and choose only what solves a real need. Healthy tech boundaries matter for students and teachers at all grade levels. School leaders can filter and simplify tech expectations before passing them on. Check the show notes for a full list of resources and ways to connect with Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman. A big thank you to Jotform, the presenter of today's episode. To learn more about Jotform and how educational institutions can get a 30% discount on Jotform Enterprise, head to jotform.com/enterprise/education.