Does Tech Earn Its Place? PAUSE & Decide

Jun 20, 2026 | School Resources

Does Technology Earn Its Place?

Schools are navigating AI, digital wellness, accessibility, screen time, engagement, and an ever-growing number of tools. It can feel like the choice is between more technology and less technology, but I think there is a better question: Does technology earn its place? Sometimes technology provides access, makes thinking visible, offers meaningful feedback, or creates opportunities that would not otherwise exist. Other times, it simply turns a paper worksheet into a digital one. And sometimes the same technology earns its place for one learner and not another. The goal isn’t more technology or less technology. It’s intentional technology.

PAUSE Before You Decide

In my upcoming book, The Digital Wellness Age, I introduce PAUSE, a decision tool for thinking more intentionally about technology:

P — Purpose
A — Add
U — User
S — Subtract
E — Evaluate

PAUSE asks us to start with what we are trying to accomplish, consider what technology adds, pay attention to the person using it, notice what it may replace, and evaluate whether it actually served its purpose.

Get the Free PAUSE & Decide Resources

I’ve turned that thinking into practical resources you can use with real technology decisions:

  • Before We Buy: Use PAUSE & Decide with district teams to start with the need instead of the product and think more intentionally before purchasing another tool.
  • For the Classroom: Take a lesson, activity, or unit through PAUSE & Decide to consider the learning, the technology, and how the answer may change for different learners.
  • PAUSE AI Coach: Bring a lesson or activity you’re thinking through and use the AI coach as a thought partner to help you decide whether technology earns its place.
  • Faculty Meeting Resource: I am also building a turnkey faculty meeting around this, so if you are looking for something to run with a whole staff, check back soon.

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