At the ISTE 2026 conference, Seesaw Learning addressed a growing demand among educators for classroom technology that prioritizes active learning over passive screen time. As schools work to combat digital fatigue, the focus is shifting toward tools that encourage student engagement and stronger family connections. This shift reflects how school communities are re-evaluating the value of digital educational tools.
What Happened
During the ISTE 2026 conference, Seesaw Learning met with international educators to gather feedback on classroom needs. According to the Seesaw Learning report, teachers expressed an urgent demand for meaningful screen time, stronger family partnerships, and authentic student assessments. Rather than relying on static worksheets digitized for screens, educators want platforms that make learning visible and give students a voice.
The company shared real-world classroom strategies from its community of practitioners during live conference sessions. This feedback reflects a broader push to ensure that classroom technology serves a clear educational purpose, rather than acting as a digital babysitter.
The Bigger Picture
Managing classroom technology is a primary concern for both parents and educators. Research shows that the value of educational technology depends on the nature of the interaction. According to a Psychology Today analysis, the quality of screen time depends on what the screen asks the child to do, specifically whether it prompts active thinking or replaces it. This distinction is important. An Education Week explainer notes that establishing healthy digital habits requires shared responsibility among parents, teachers, and developers.
For early learners, active engagement is key. A Frontiers developmental study found that preschoolers' holistic engagement, measured by their effort and persistence during on-screen tasks, directly predicted their ability to learn new words.
Choosing the right software remains a challenge for school administrators. Many districts are actively consolidating apps to fight off software bloat. An eSchools integration guide warns that uncoordinated tech adoption risks wasted spending and wider digital inequalities. Instead, schools need centralized, evidence-based rollouts combined with teacher training.
Hardware and software are only as good as the educators who implement them. A Frontiers education study revealed that student achievement is heavily influenced by a teacher’s digital pedagogical content knowledge and their confidence in using tech. When teachers are skilled in digital instruction, student learning gains follow.
Personalized learning programs show a similar pattern. An Edmentum Texas efficacy report showed that students using digital personalized learning tools saw significant score increases on state reading and math assessments. However, these tools must be targeted carefully. Research published in the Proceedings of the ACM Learning @ Scale Conference indicates that automated, personalized feedback primarily benefits lower-performing students, while the positive effects diminish for higher-performing students who already understand the concepts.
What This Means for Families
For parents, this shift means moving away from simply counting screen minutes and focusing instead on the quality of digital activities. When children use educational platforms at school, parents should look for tools that allow students to create, speak, and share their progress, rather than platforms where they passively consume videos or click through repetitive multiple-choice questions.
For educators, the focus must remain on professional development. Simply putting a tablet in front of a child will not boost achievement unless teachers receive the training required to integrate that tool into active, hands-on lesson plans.
What You Can Do
Parents can start by asking teachers how classroom devices are being used. Look for active creation, such as recording a voice explanation or drawing a diagram, rather than passive consumption.
It also helps to advocate for teacher support. Encourage school board leaders to prioritize funding for teacher digital training and evidence-based pilot programs, rather than just purchasing new devices.
Finally, monitor personalized tools. If a school uses automated learning software, check if the program continues to challenge high-performing students or if it is best suited for reinforcing foundational skills.