Digital Nation- Technology

Too Much Technology

Spending time at the mall, grocery stores, beaches, restaurants, and many other places people will see teenagers on their phones, ten year olds on their Nintendo DS’, and even the smaller three and four year olds playing with Leap Pads. “At 5, more than 50% regularly interact with a computer or tablet device. . .” (CNN Clinton)  But somewhat of an unusual sight is to see an older adult browsing around on any electronic they own.  Most of the time you’ll hear, “I can’t figure out how to work this new phone, give it to my kid and I’m sure they can work it.” It’s perhaps a very true statement because kids are learning incredibly early how to navigate the internet, a phone, among other things.  While it can be a great thing, adults and schools shouldn’t be primarily focusing on teaching students how to use computers appropriately and should be more active in the classroom and outside.  There’s a possibility their growth and language can become underdeveloped and/or children can be exposed to inappropriate things But, on the other hand, it’s never too early to become electronically connected to the social media world. 

            Why would it bring worry to adults that their children are becoming tech-savvy at such a young age? Maybe because it can cause problems for a child’s growth in conversation, also stunt growth within their personality.  In an article found online, it states “Electronics are not, however, good at teaching children how to think or that they should ask questions, or use creativity. . . These skills are what help young kids learn to love learning itself. . .” (“Thriving” Boston Children’s Hospital staff). No one wants to kill a child’s creativity, especially at an extremely young age. Creativity brings enjoyment to a child and warms a parent’s heart; it brings up questions that we, as older people, would not think of or bring up. The more time a child spends playing online or videos games the less time they will spend interacting with peers, parents, and other adults. 

            How many times does a pop-up blocker work or not work, seems like a very reasonable question.  Adults and older children know not to open up a pop up because it can lead to viruses and spam, but five and six year olds don’t know to do the same. When they are in the middle of playing a game they’ll click anywhere to resume their game which can lead to inappropriate and disturbing content. Research shows that children exposed to violence, any type can cause violent or aggressive behavior. (LIVESTRONG.com) “Viewing video violence has three main effects; these are aggressions, desensitization and fear. In addition, it conveys the impression the world is a mean and dangerous place and that one must act defensively.” –John Murray (Livestrong). Acting defensively can mean bringing a gun into the situation, a child sees one on a video game, commercial, internet video and their parents have one they can access they may connect the two things and bring in their own gun to solve a problem. Content containing inappropriate language causes issues as well, it is apparent that children repeat what they hear. I have a two year old I watch daily and I have to start watching my mouth more and more these days because she will repeat anything and everything. Pop-up blockers, just as everything else have flaws within the program.

Despite that students can possibly have future problems with playing and learning through a computer, its quite evident that this world is becoming much more technologically advanced by the second. Therefore, our elementary students now, need to be introduced and browsing around a computer starting in first or second grade. Educators and school boards argue that, “based on decades of use in schools, on findings of hundreds of research studies, and on the everyday experiences of educators, students, and their families - that, properly used, technology can enhance the achievement of all students, increase families’ involvement in their children’s schooling, improve teachers’ skills and knowledge, and improve school administration and management." (Technology’s Impact on Learning) There are math, reading, and literacy programs that can be accessed from a computer which are great for students but that shouldn’t be the main source they are learning from.  A teacher standing up at the board writing step by step instructions of a math problem, where the student can copy down the problem and refer back to it or rewrite it a few times helps a student get a better grasp on how to do work it out.  I am more of a kinesthetic learner, which by definition is a way of learning that takes place by the student actually carrying out a physical activity; after doing some research, it seems as many others are kinesthetic learners.  From an article I came across, “most of the school population excels through kinesthetic means: touching, feeling, experiencing the material at hand.” This changes throughout the year of school as most females become auditory learners later on in school but, “many adults, especially males, maintain kinesthetic and tactual strengths throughout their lives.”(Teaching Secondary Students through Their Individual Learning Styles, Rita Stafford)

            Technology can offer only so much but teachers, they can expand on a subject which can lead to other closely knit subjects. Technology is a fine way of teaching but it should never take over a student’s entire education. For example instead of a child staring at a computer screen with headphones in, listening to a monotone voice shouldn’t replace a teacher sitting on the classroom carpet telling a story from a book. Technology can stunt a child’s growth in development, bad habits and inappropriate behavior can be influenced, and unfortunately it is becoming a most in our society for children to understand the technology.