The Role of Technology at The Glen

Technology at The Glen

At The Glen, technology is thoughtfully and intentionally woven into the learning and classroom experiences.  Our students use technology to extend their critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration — always as a tool, never as a substitute for rich, hands-on learning or meaningful human connection.

Technology at The Glen supports mastery of content, but it never replaces the teacher, the materials, or the classroom community. Instead, it helps students demonstrate understanding, share ideas, and navigate the digital world with confidence and purpose.

 

Lower Elementary: Laying the Foundation

In Lower Elementary, students build essential computer literacy while continuing to rely on books as their primary resource for research and discovery. Chromebooks are introduced thoughtfully and are used for skills like typing, basic research, and simple publishing tasks. Each classroom has a handful of devices that students share. Why not 1:1? This shared model is intentional—fostering collaboration, communication, and executive functioning alongside computer skills.

 

Upper Elementary: Building Independence

By the time students reach Upper Elementary, they are ready for more. Each child is issued a Chromebook to use at school. Students write papers, dig into primary research, and evaluate the reliability of online sources—critical skills for today’s world. They also expand into creative digital projects, such as website design, graphic arts, and video storytelling. Devices remain at school, in keeping with The Glen’s commitment to minimal homework and preserving family time.

 

Middle School: Expanding Responsibility

In Middle School, technology use becomes more sophisticated and purposeful—technology is used as a tool for curricular work when appropriate. Students continue to have 1:1 access to Chromebooks, and they collaborate with peers and guides on shared drives and documents for research projects, community work plans, and microeconomy operations. With guidance, they explore responsible use of technology, verification of research sources, and personal well-being in the face of the social media bombardment that affects the lives of adolescents.

 

Policy on Personal Devices

“Students may bring personal electronic devices (laptops, tablets, Chromebooks, iPads, smartphones, and smartwatches) to school, but once they walk through the doors, they must be turned off and stored away for the day. Students are responsible for the care of their personal items.

If a device becomes a distraction, teachers take a progressive approach to managing it—first, they keep it in a backpack and, if needed, move it to the office for safekeeping.” 2025-2026 Glen Parent Handbook