There is no denying that our reliance on technology has certainly heightened over the past year, all thanks to COVID. Technology has really become our way of living: ordering/paying for our togo orders, processing our grocery pickup order, facetiming with our loved ones, attending zoom meetings after zoom meetings after zoom meetings, and the list goes on! The same is true for our classrooms.
The push for technology is real and our dependence on it will only continue to grow. This can be both positive and negative, in my opinion. Technology is a tool that allows us to access the resources to improve our instruction and engage our learners in ways that are fun and enjoyable. Technology also makes our lives as teachers easier when it comes to lesson planning, gathering resources, online assessments, collaboration among colleagues, and so on. Although technology has it’s undeniable benefits, it also has its downfalls when it comes to our students’ dependence and freedom. With the push for technology in the classroom now more than ever, I do worry what the long term effects are on our students’ social and emotional behaviors. While I am a strong proponent of technology and its valuable uses in the classroom and in life in general, I am a firm believer that we need to teach our students how to effectively and responsibility use technology in this evolving digital world. I believe it is our job as educators to stress the importance of digital citizenship skills and to embrace technology for learning in ways that promote student health and well-being.
Moving forward, there are some steps I would like to take this year to better integrate technology in ways that foster digital well-being and are conducive to learning.
- I would like to foster a positive and thriving culture around media and technology by implementing lessons on digital citizenship and what it means to have media balance.
- I would also like to express the need for digital citizenship skills to continue in developmentally appropriate ways throughout all grades within my school.
- I would also like to incorporate tools to promote interactions and improve communication skills.
- Finally, I would like to be more cognizant of how and when I am using technology in my classroom and offer alternatives to give my students a break from screens and devices when necessary throughout the day.
- Parents--Is your child spending an excessive amount of time on screens? Check out this resource for more information about screen time and what you should be on the look out for when it comes to tech addiction.
Brittany,
ReplyDeleteSuch a clear relationship of how technology has not only affected our use in the classroom but our use in daily life from to-go orders to zooming, etc.!
“I am a firm believer that we need to teach our students how to effectively and responsibly use technology in this evolving digital world.”
There is no questioning that statement, from digital citizenship to a healthy balance of technology in life (our students and ours) will be critical as we navigate through the changes and influxes that the digital world presents us with every day. The steps you present are all positive ones that are engaging and will promote meaningful use of technology. With the cognizance of how and when you are using technology being of the utmost importance! There is one goal I would like you to set for yourself and that is instead of saying “I would…” make it “I will!”.
Layla
Thank you for the resource on screen time! I now have it bookmarked and will use it with my own 3 kids, and with students and parents at work.
ReplyDeleteI also struggle with finding a way to allow my middle schoolers to collaborate regularly in my classroom. I am interested to hear what solutions you come up with!
Lastly, as an art teacher, I have to say that I love the background you chose. :)
Angie