At the Learning Leadership Symposium, Ivy Nelson, CETL, Instructional Technology Manager at Belton School District #124, took the stage to share the district's journey of humanizing technology. With a student body of approximately 4,500 students spanning from infancy to 12th grade, Belton School District faces unique challenges and opportunities in the ever-evolving landscape of education technology.

Before delving into the main topic, Ivy provided a snapshot of Belton School District. With an award-winning Early Childhood Education Center and a total staff of 650 members, the district serves a diverse population, including a multilingual student community of over 6%, lower-than-average free/reduced status, and a slightly higher percentage of special education students compared to the state average.

The crux of Ivy's presentation revolved around the theme of "becoming human alongside technology." She offered three key insights into achieving this delicate balance.

Ivy stressed the importance of human-centered design, an approach that starts with understanding the needs and perspectives of the end-users. By fostering empathy, collaboration, and innovation, educators can create solutions that genuinely address the needs of students. She shared the benefits of this approach, including fostering creativity and cultivating a mindset of problem-solving among students.

Highlighting a particularly impactful initiative, Ivy spoke about the Technology Internship program, where high school students worked alongside the technology department, learning hardware repair and contributing to the maintenance of the district's one-to-one device program.

Recognizing the transformational impact of the digital landscape on how we live, work, and learn, Ivy emphasized the need for digital literacy. She challenged the assumption that today's students, often called digital natives, inherently possess effective digital skills. Instead, she argued for a reevaluation of technology integration, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, communication skills, and preparing students for an ever-changing job market.

Belton School District, a Common Sense Certified district, prioritizes digital literacy through intentional efforts to balance screen time, embedding digital citizenship into the school culture, and addressing issues with a common language of responsible technology use.

In the era of social-emotional learning and increased screen time, Ivy underscored the importance of cultivating digital wellbeing. She discussed the mental health implications associated with digital addiction, anxiety, and depression, emphasizing the need for reducing risks and promoting healthy online behaviors.

The district actively promotes digital wellbeing by encouraging breaks from screens, physical activity, and maintaining healthy relationships. Ivy highlighted the positive impact on students' focus and productivity when digital wellbeing practices are integrated into their daily lives.

Ivy Nelson's presentation at the Learning Leadership Symposium provided valuable insights into the strategies employed by Belton School District to humanize technology in education. By prioritizing human-centered design, embracing digital literacy, and cultivating digital wellbeing, the district aims to prepare students not just for the digital world but for life, fostering critical thinkers, empathetic individuals, and responsible digital citizens.