Granted, the vast majority of us in our LEED 6820 class are pro-technology. And, to be honest, I am on the same bandwagon as everyone else---tooting the praises of educators' use of tech, personally and professionally. Yet, here I am playing devil's advocate with some negative thoughts about our dear friend technology.
As I have been surfing the net, looking at various sites and articles related to technology and education, I began to ask myself, "What are some negatives to this boom in students' use of tech?"
For one, I have found that the surgeon general has related child obesity to inactivity, some of which is directly related to computer usage (along with tv and video games)...and it appears much of this time is also spent in some form of social isolation. Oh, kids are texting, chatting, warring with each other on online games. But, they are losing out on the positive experiences associated with playing, talking, arguing, competing (etc) with peers face-to-face.
I wondered about social development and computer use. Should the use of computer and other tech replace good ole' person-to-person socialization? For me, no, it should not. However, I must preface this with the admission that by nature, I am a social creature (ask any of my coworkers!). Before teaching, I was a therapist with a mental health agency for ten years, and our effectiveness was based on a person to person type of service. So, here, I am thinking that students would definitely need their teacher, guidance counselor, bus driver, etc (or some other living, breathing creature) to help them develop socially and emotionally. Humans need humans, right? We cannot be replace, right? We are imperative, right? Well...according to Promoting Social and Emotional Learning: Guidelines for Educators by Maurice Elias, computer labs equipped with problem-solving software are great resources for students. When a student experiences a problem at school, he/she is allowed to go to the computer lab and independently work out the problem through use of a computer program. Hmmm....I will have to think about this a little more. Guess I am "old school" and think adolescents' interpersonal problems need a personal touch.
On our LEED blog, someone joked that students would not need a live teacher (or very few live "anybodies" for that matter) in the future....this site really brought that thought home to me! Do computer labs/programs like this actually take away from some of the social/emotional development of children and adolescents? Can such technology replace the human contact needed to promote social/emotional development?
Personally, I readily admit, that I hope technology never goes so far as to replace human contact!
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15 years ago
I'm hoping that technology will not replace human teachers. I know how frustrating it is when I make a call and get an automative menu instead of a human. I believe that the human interaction/socialization is very important. I wonder if technology doesn't also play a part in limiting creativity. Think back to your childhood. Playing then was different than small children play today. I feel like older generations used their imaginations more. I see that as a big negative aspect.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are a social creature! No, computers will not be able to replace the need for human contact! We have definitely seen with our sixth graders the academic impact when we are able to connect with them personally. We have said that we wish we could get to know them faster, build their trust quicker, and connect with them earlier in the school year. We get so much more out of them the second half of the year - after we establish the connection needed in order for them to give us their best!
ReplyDeleteWhile playing devil's advocate, did you come across information about the current movement in the House of Representatives to stop online bullying? The name of the bill under debate is the "Megan Meier Cyber Bullying Prevention Act". I did not know Megan's story before, but this issue is one to definitely consider when dealing with adolescents.