Post #5: Disadvantages of Technology
As we navigate a new world where teaching students about technology is a necessity, we must also be aware of the disadvantages that the use of technology holds. I have identified two main areas for concern, and some ideas on how both parents and educators can alleviate these concerns.
1. Internet Safety
There are several aspects of internet safety that often concern me when using technology with my students. Aspects such as privacy and data collection are one. I fear that they may accidentally share personal information with unreliable sources or visit websites that are insecure. Another main area for concern is internet searches in general, using search engines such as Google or Bing. I taught them about how to select results when using a search engine, and I showed them how to identify which results were an "ad" and which results were actually relevant I also showed them how to scan the descriptions under each link and identify which link was the most useful. That being said, I still (rightfully so) felt uncomfortable allowing the students to use Google, as I did not want them to come across any inappropriate information or links.
A solution I found for this was using child-friendly search engines. This alternative is slightly more time-consuming, as students often cannot find information that they need, so have to find another search engine. That being said, after trying several, the most efficient search engine was Safe Search Kids linked HERE. While many of the child-friendly search engines yielded far too few results, this one was efficient and had most information that my students needed. It does support ads, but I find that this just allows for a learning opportunity about what sponsored links are and how to find reliable information.
Another great program for at-home technology use is something like KidsLox - a tool that allows parents to block certain apps and websites, sets daily limits for screen time and keeps track of the locations of your devices. Their website is linked HERE
2. Overstimulation
A main area for concern when it comes to technology is the impact that it may have on children's social, mental and physical development. Kristen Marx, a licensed mental health counsellor and school psychologist says that when it comes to technology, "the lack of life experience, social skills and self-awareness make it difficult for [children] to regulate it" (Seed, 2018). Children don't know how to manage screen time, and when off of their screens, how to transfer their thinking back to a world that is less stimulating and has less immediate satisfaction. Another middle school teacher, Lisa Chapman, insights that “[w]ith everything at their fingertips, students want constant input and instant feedback. If they can’t find an immediate answer, they don’t automatically delve into other strategies to solve it a different way. Many times they give up.” (Seed, 2018). I see this every day with my students - their constant demands for videos, the silence that settles upon the classroom once the computers come out and the irritability I observe after screen times are finished. The question is, then, what are some strategies for improving this? Here are some ideas inspired by the Luminis Health Website cited below:
- Incorporating mindfulness
Taking the time to teach mindfulness to children will innately teach them to stop and take time to notice the world around them. In those moments where children seem to be distant and focused solely on their device, the skills of mindfulness will help them to pull away and reconnect with the physical world during or after screen time.
-Being intentional about tech-free time
Between showing videos, word-processing, research projects, Google searches, free time and more, the amount of time children spend on screens can add up quickly. It is important to be intentional about carving out tech-free time throughout the day, where children are exposed to zero technology in order to regulate their amount of total screen-time in a day
-Making non-screen time more fun
Thinking of exciting, interactive activities that can replace the time our kids spend on their phone and computer is important. When asking my students what the best part of their weekend was or what their favourite activities are, rarely do they ever say something screen-related. Kids love interacting with friends and being outdoors. In the classroom especially, it's important that we don't replace on-screen activities with boring, mundane tasks that make them wish it were online. Remind them how fun learning can be!
References
Hi jen!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your well thought out post. When we were moved to distance learning last year, and then for a time this year, I was always worried about the screen time damage that would be caused for my students. I teach high school, so the students are older and can handle it much better, but with their already 'addictive' nature towards their phones, I was concerned about the additional 7 hours on a computer.
Often I would preach the intentional screen breaks. Allowing them to work on paper copies off screen in order to adjust themselves away from technology. The only problem with that is that you could not see if they were actually doing work, or if they had just turned off the screen to go on their phones. Moreover, without ever being taught to be mindful, or the power of being able to disconnect, it was a difficult task to do when they were in their own homes, and I was instructing them via computer. The trick must be to teach them while you have them, and then utilize those skills once they are in their homes.
I suppose we didn't prepare for this (the wonders of COVID) or know what was coming, but now that we know, it's wonderful to have all those resources to better prepare for the next shift in educational surroundings.
Thanks!
sorry Jen, that was my comment, Lindsay Spence. haha
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for an interesting post about technology. I liked your idea about using mindfulness as a balance for technology in the classroom. I do use mindfulness each day in my class (though this year I haven't so much because I am doing a blended program); however, I have never actually thought of it as a direct way to balance against the use of technology. This was an 'aha' moment for me when I read your post. I also appreciate the links you sent on Internet safety. Being a father of 3 this has become even more important for me, as my daughter is in Grade 6 now and is being exposed to even more outside digital influences that I have to educate myself on. We do use similar restrictions at home; however, we are always trying to teach our children (and I try to emphasis in my classroom as well) to be self-regulators when it comes to digital responsibility. The best way to help our young learners is to teach them the skills for recognizing malicious websites, or other possible dangers that they can be exposed to online. Thanks again for your interesting post!
From Shawn