Screen Zombies: How we are trying to manage screen time and how you can help!
I have recently encountered a upswing in parent emails worried about their students screen time. I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know some of the things we are doing at school to help make sure that screen time is being used wisely and appropriately. I also want to connect you with some resources you can read or use in your own home.
At School:
In grades K-3 we spend a lot of time talking about balancing screen time as part of our Digital Citizenship Curriculum. We take opportunities to take lessons offline and go outside to learn about the keys on the keyboard using sidewalk chalk, or learning if/then statements playing game on our white boards. Although much of technology class does take place on a screen I try to make the 15-20 minutes of the class they are on screens meaningful and connected to areas they are learning in the classroom or teaching them a new skill.
In grades 4-8 we try to make technology a tool and not a toy. We think very hard about when and why to use technology and limit it when possible. Technology and especially computers like the chromebooks they currently use, are becoming as prominent as text books in high school classrooms. With this in mind we are trying to balance preparing them for high school and not letting the computer be the only delivery of content.
Our teachers are fantastic partners in this effort. Several of our upper level teachers are going through the training on their own time to become a Google Certified Educator. This is a training offered by Google that focuses on best practices for integrating technology effectively in the classroom. Our lower level grades are very protective of when screens are being used and how they are being used to make sure our students do not grow dependent on them.
I recently read this article that I feel articulates how we as instructors need to build awareness around the topic: https://www.graphite.org/blog/what-educators-need-to-know-about-technology-addiction?utm_source=DigCit_Tips_2016_5_4&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly
At Home:
To help us in this effort at home, here are some suggestions you might think about to limit your student's screen time. Family contracts about use of devices are a great way to open a conversation with your children about why you as a family use devices, if you are concerned you are using them too much, and why or why not are devices necessary for the task at hand.
Recommendations:
More Resources:
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/01/06/461920593/kids-and-screen-time-a-peek-at-upcoming-guidance
I have also posted some new PDFs that deal specifically with Screen Time and screen time agreements. Check them out here: http://evandyke.wix.com/techroom#!screen-time/c0hq1
