Based on the article:
The Truth About Research on Screen Time by Kayt Sukel Pre-reading Prediction: Prior to reading this article I predict that technology has a negative effect on brain development in children and teenagers. I have no scientific research to back up anything I am about to say, but I have had the opportunity to observe teenagers in the high school that I teach at over the past 8 years and can compare that with what I can remember about myself and my friends when we were in high school and university when smart phones and social media weren’t nearly as prominent. I have found that teenagers have shorter attention spans, poorer research skills, less grit, and higher levels of anxiety than they did 10 years ago. If students cannot find the answer to something immediately they usually give up. Despite the fact that they have access to exponentially more information than teenagers did 10 years ago they lack the skills to find and vet information. The pressures to share everything you are doing, fit in, and look good on social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram has created heightened levels of anxiety. Post reading: The article seems to state that researching this subject is currently very difficult and that there is no consensus in science or education about how technology affects our lives. There are so many variables to this situation and it is such a new phenomenon that it is nearly impossible to come to one conclusion that applies universally to all scenarios and people. The main conclusion of the article was that setting limits to how much screen time and information children get is a good idea but there is no exact number that is correct. I think this applies to education because it is important that we make an effort to educate children and teenagers on the potential negative effects of technology use and information overload. I think that parents and teachers also have a responsibility to role model appropriate use of technology and information. If we make an effort to reduce the amount of time that kids spend on their phones it could have a positive effect on their lives.
1 Comment
Kristine
1/29/2018 04:24:19 pm
I have definitely noticed that 6-8years ago my grade 4s could read, answer and engage with the Socials text book. Now most of them practically have a panic attack trying to do comprehension work out of the same book. I love technology, don't get me wrong...I mean, how did we ever teach without the internet around? But I do fear where our students of today are headed for with the amount of social media, technology, gaming, and time spent on devices.
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AuthorJeff Brisbois is a Archives
April 2018
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