As the debate rages about the use of cell phones, tablets and computers in schools, one unaddressed question is "Are the teachers that are pushing more and more technology on students, themselves addicted to screens"? To what extent do teacher's desire to use technology influence their decisions regarding screen use with students? This article intends to highlight what is really going on behind the closed doors of classrooms and poses common sense solutions toward improving education and learning for all students.
Frequently I hear 'tech-centric' teachers and principals chastise 'traditional' teachers who choose not to use screen-based teaching. The tech-centric teachers cite that traditional teachers are being old-fashioned, non-progressive, or just plain scared of technology. What tech-centric teachers fail to realize is that their colleagues are following tried and true, evidenced-based methods of instructing their students designed to achieve literacy and academic success. Traditional teachers are continuing to teach, and their students are continuing to learn, whereas in the tech-centric classroom, teaching and learning have stopped dead in their tracks. Without
any evidence that technology does anything more than entertain students, whole districts have moved to essentially replace teachers and books with devices. Unsupervised and largely unrestricted, students are spending inordinate amounts of time playing videogames, watching porn and movies, and using social media (including cyberbullying) when they could have been learning. While students actively oppose using screens for teaching and learning, with one study showing
92% of students preferring books, paper, and pen, no one appears to be listening. Against all common sense, parent protests, and student refusals, schools march forward with escalating technology use, apparently blind to the catastrophic damage they are wreaking on students across the globe.
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Foundation Series Workshop Schedule
October 15-18, 2018 - Long Island, New York
Co-presentation with Dr. Hilarie Cash, Director of reSTART Internet Addiction titled "Disrupting the Trajectory - Child screen overuse initiatives could alter the course of youth screen addiction; stories from the field" at the Digital Media and Developing Minds - second National Congress and Exposition sponsored byChildren and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development and Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory.
Presentation and panel discussions on the impact of technology on child development at the annual School of Tomorrow conference titled "A World of Tomorrow Reimagined" sponsored by the Beaconhouse School System.
Workshops for early childhood educators and health professionals on impact of technology on children sponsored by Ridge Meadows Early Child Development Committee.
Contact person: Roberta O'Brien, 604-467-6055,
rmecd@telus.net
April 17, 2019 - Prince Rupert, BC
Evening workshop for parents on impact of screens on children sponsored by Prince Rupert School District No 52.
The Screen Solution Workshops will leave you feeling equipped with the tools needed to help you reset your child's screen habits. From video games to smartphones, we'll show you how to make practical changes in your day-to-day life with proven strategies and replacement activities to establish a balanced screen use at different ages.
Children's Screen Time Action Network
Children's Screen Time Action Network Webinars
Children's Screen Time Action Network have a number of upcoming webinars:
Every presentation will be recorded and available on the Action Network website after the event.
Real Talk on Technology
Real Talk on Technology
Guiding your Kids to Make Good Digital Decisions
By Dr Charles Fay
How much screen time is too much? Is sexting ok? Can the internet be dangerous?
While the basics of parenting remain the same, issues involving technology have left many parents wondering what limits are appropriate, how to hold their children accountable for misuse of technology, and how to help kids learn the decision-making skills required to make healthy technology choices when they leave home.
Dr Charles Fay provides tips tips on parenting and technology in his audio guide.
Are you worried that if you limit your child's screen use now that they will binge in college? Get the facts about the forbidden fruit myth and what you can do now to prevent the feared 'binging".
Another big myth out there around screens and kids and that's the myth that by limiting screens, you are sheltering your kids. Listen now to find out why that's only just a myth!
Canada and its "Five Eyes" intelligence allies are calling on the digital online industry to take urgent action to stop child pornographers, terrorists and violent extremists from finding a platform on the internet.
Letter to the American Psychological Association (APA) to call attention to the unethical practice of psychologists using hidden manipulation techniques to hook children on social media and video games.
The first ever product that combines an app to manage your kids' screen time with a physical home and charging station that stores their devices.
By Manohla Dargis July 11, 2018
A hyper-connected voyeur, Kayla, an eighth grader, seems hooked on other people's experiences and emotions, suggesting that they, unlike her, are living their best lives and having the coolest, most awesome time. This movie shows the influence of social media on modern teenagers' lives.
By Elena Pasquinelli on September 11, 2018
Some say our gadgets and computers can help improve intelligence. Others say they make us stupid and violent. Which is it?
New controls on online games were among Chinese authorities' recommendations for reducing adolescent nearsightedness, sending shares in the country's leading game publisher, Tencent, tumbling the next day.
Naughty America, one of the world's most prolific producers of VR content, is at the forefront of a lucrative niche driving adoption of the technology.
Usually its parents who are trying to get their kids to put the controls down and stop playing the video game Fortnite. However, some parents are hiring tutors to help their kids win in the battle-to-the-death video game.
This article addresses the negative impacts of personal technology addiction on Navy readiness, it has far broader implications for all of us. In short, it is not clear that we have a firm understanding on what the increasing levels of personal technology utilization are doing to us (smart phones, social media, video games, internet surfing, etc.), especially to the younger generations.
Statement for the United Nations' July, 2018 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
Zone'in Programs
Sedentary, neglected, isolated, and overstimulated, the new millennium child can no longer pay attention and learn. Zone'in Programs are designed by an occupational therapist to enhance child development and learning, ensuring successful futures.
Virtual Child - The terrifying truth about what technology is doing to children
By Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist.
Virtual Child documents the impact technology has had on the developing child, and proposes tools and techniques to manage balance between activities children need for growth and success with technology use.
Cris Rowan is a pediatric occupational therapist committed to enhancing child health and academic performance. Well known activist, speaker, sensory specialist and author, Cris is the "Go To" expert on child learning, development and technology overuse. Cris has provided over 200 workshops for health and education professionals, and is currently developing the Creating Sustainable Futures Program for a First Nations Community.
Training & Consultation
Training
Instructor training for Foundation Series Workshops places pediatric occupational therapists on the cutting edge as experts in the field of technology's impact on child development.
Zone'in Programs Inc. and Cris Rowan are seeking your support and assistance to ensure sustainable and productive futures for our children. Find out more about how you can help us!
