When unplugging leads to deeper learning
In today’s world, technology is everywhere. It is in our pockets, on our wrists and on our desks. For many students, screens have always been part of how they learn, communicate and interact with the world. Technology certainly has its place in education — but as an educator, I have come to believe just as strongly in the power of knowing when to put it away.
At the end of 2025, The School District of Lee County observed a “tech-free day” that challenged students and teachers to step away from their devices and return to more traditional, hands-on learning. For some schools, it was a noticeable shift. At Bayshore School, it felt a lot like a normal day.
That is because most days at Bayshore are already largely tech-free by design.
This does not mean we ignore technology or reject it altogether. Chromebooks exist in our classrooms, and we use them when they serve a clear instructional purpose. But we intentionally emphasize cooperative learning, face-to-face interaction and active engagement over screen time. We want students talking to one another, thinking together and learning how to express their ideas with confidence.
One of the biggest reasons for this approach is focus. As one of our sixth-grade teachers, Corey Doughty, put it, “When you have technology in front of you, that’s a distraction. It makes things more difficult to do.” I see that same reality across grade levels. When devices are removed from the equation, attention sharpens and learning becomes more personal.
Doughty has also shared something that resonates deeply with me as a school leader: “When the kids are not on their devices, I feel like I’m also able to build better relationships with them.” That relationship building is at the heart of what we do. Without a screen acting as a barrier, teachers can connect more authentically with students — and students can connect more meaningfully with one another.
What may surprise some adults is that many students actually prefer this approach. I have spoken with students who say they would rather write out their answers, read from a physical book or talk through ideas with classmates than rely on a screen. One sixth-grade student summed it up simply: “I like it a lot because the computers can sometimes get blurry and glitch out, but textbooks don’t do that.”
That observation speaks volumes.
The district’s broader efforts to reduce device use — including the bell-to-bell ban on student cell phone use beginning in the 2025-26 school year — reflect a growing awareness of how constant access to technology can impact focus, confidence and social development. At Bayshore, that shift did not require much adjustment, but I support it wholeheartedly.
When students rely too heavily on devices, it can sometimes chip away at their confidence. They begin to depend on the screen instead of trusting their own voice or reasoning. By contrast, when students regularly engage in discussion, writing and collaborative work, they build the social and academic confidence they need to succeed — not just in school, but in life.
We have also seen another meaningful outcome: fewer conflicts. When students are accustomed to working together, talking through disagreements and supporting one another, they develop stronger problem-solving and communication skills. Those skills do not come from an app. They come from practice.
Technology will always be part of education, and it should be. But so should balance. Some of the most powerful learning still happens with a pencil in hand, a teacher nearby and peers ready to engage.
Sometimes, the best way to prepare students for the future is to slow down, unplug — and let them learn from one another.
To learn more about The School District of Lee County, visit LeeSchools.net.
About the Author
Ben Ausman has been the principal of Bayshore School for nine years and has worked for The School District of Lee County for more than two decades. The District is the 9th largest district in Florida and the 32nd largest school district in the US, educating more than 100,000 students.
To reach Ben Ausman, Principal, Bayshore School, please email