Mid Term Reflection

The article WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT CHILDREN AND TECHNOLOGY discusses the positives and negatives that technology can have on children as they mature. In the day and age that we live where children are more connected to technology than ever before, makes this article very relevant to everyone. The article states in its foreword, “children have access to smartphones and tablets before they learn to walk and talk.” This sentence alone naturally will raise red flags for many parents and teachers. Anyone who cares about our future must have these conversations about technology to ensure we are implementing technology properly in our homes and in our schools.

Childhood is a time of rapid development for our children, and it has become very clear to all that children are spending a lot of time online. “During the first three years of life, a child’s brain may create over one million new connections per second - essential for the development of hearing, language and cognition (Center on the Developing Child, 2009).” Because of this fact, there should be concern over how much time children spend online. Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation online which raises unnecessary panic in our society. But there is no argument that over using technology at a young age can have a negative effect, so we as teachers or parents should careful and wise in our integration of technology.

The article suggests there is an ideal amount of technology time for our children. It refers to that time as the “Goldilocks effect”. The Goldilocks effect argues that moderate online engagement is beneficial for the mental wellbeing of children. So what are some things we can do to ensure the best for children? 

1. Be educated. Adults who understand online safety are able to use technology more successfully than those who do not. 

2. Lead. Children model behavior after adults. Adults should understand online habits that they do will be modeled by their children or students.

3. Limit. Online access for children is good and can have many benefits for the children. Allow children to have some access to online videos and games that have a positive stimulating affect on children. But make sure they have only a healthy amount of screen time. 

4. Teach. Adults and teachers have the responsibility to teach children what is proper and safe online behavior. 

5. Co-View. Children get so much out of online videos, games, and website when an adult is present with them as they navigate things online. 

6. Help. We are all in this together. Help out those who are in need of advice on what is proper technological integration for our children.

Lesson, Insights, Takeaways

I have always viewed screen time for children as a negative thing, even going as extreme as saying that NO screen time is the ideal way for children to develop. This article changed my thinking. Online learning can be a very educational thing for children, and I would even say it is a necessary thing for children to properly develop in our society. They will be going to schools that use technology, working jobs that use technology, and living lives that are filled with technology. It is important that we prepare them for that life by exposing them to a healthy amount of educational learning at a young age. We as teachers and parents then have a high responsibility to guide our young children as they develop with the use of technology. The article stresses to me that I must be informed and well read on this very important topic. I really liked the idea of Co-Viewing with our children. As a teacher, guiding our students in their technology use has clearly revealed to me that students learn more with an adult helping them navigate their studies online. 

5 Questions

1. With the advancement of video game technology and complexity, what might be some positive ways that we could implement video game technology in our homes?

2. What are some precautions we should take to avoid too much screen time for children?

3. What is the optimal amount of screen time that is both healthy and beneficial to children? Does the amount of time change with age or life circumstances?

4. Is there a connection between children’s early exposure to technology and an increase in digital literacy?

5. Are there any educational models that could be used as a guide for parents as they navigate allowing their children access to technology?

Answers

With the advancement of video game technology and complexity, what might be some positive ways that we could implement video game technology in our homes?

There are many online games that are educational for our children. Parents have the responsibility of finding these games and presenting it to their children in order for them to have a positive and safe experience online. 

Some schools are adopting Minecraft EDU as a game that can give students an engaging and positive experience in schools. That allows students to immerse themselves in the minecraft world and learn many different skills and educational concepts. Geo tracking is another technology that might have positive effects if it were converted into an educational experience. Pokemon Go and Geocaching are all fun things that children and adults take part in. Could this be converted into an opportunity for children and parents to explore parks in order to find math, history, science, or english concepts? Could it be made into a game that gets children outside to find the answers to important history lessons? I think so!

The positives that video games give to children is that it makes learning both fun and engaging. Dewey stresses in his learning theory that in order for someone to learn at their best, they must have AN experience. Students need to have an “aha” moment in their educational experience in order to learn the best. Video games and technology are a great way for students to have an experience that is memorable and them to have a core memory that sticks with them. We as teachers need to do our best to guide children to have this experience in their learning, and parents should do the same. It is so important that parents do not just give their children educational games and leave it at that. Parents and teachers should give children the opportunity to reflect on what they learned in these games. 

Are there any educational models that could be used as a guide for parents as they navigate allowing their children access to technology?

There are many educational models available in the educational world. Some frameworks include: TPACK, RAT, SAMR, and Triple E. 

The Triple E framework is a guide to help students and educators wisely integrate technology in their schools and classroom, but it is also a great guide for parents at home to follow as well. The Triple E framework is simplified with 3 E words: Engagement, Enhancement, Extension.  Engagement refers to students (or children) participating in active social activities that are based on learning goals. Enhancement refers to students (or children) learning through technology rich learning activities. Extension refers to the fact that technology allows students to experience a natural connection of learning between home and school. Parents at home can follow the ideas of this framework. The technology that they allow for their kids must be engaging to their kids, it must be used to enhance their learning, and it must allow them to make real world connections at an age appropriate level!

All of these frameworks help educators as they integrate technology. Parents should also be wise and careful as they allow their children to navigate the immense, dangerous internet. But if parents navigate it wisely, safely, and correctly, they open their children to amazing learning opportunities and possibilities.