I have started and deleted at least 3 posts today. I "want" to write, but I don't want to do it just to do it.
All this conversation around the negatives in education ... so much energy is focused on the negatives. It can look super bleak. It can look like failure is inevitable. Here's the thing ... I'm going to choose to NOT get bogged down with it. Negatives come with everything, but I'm not going to let that be the story. I'm going to let the negatives inform me to be more positive.
Here's an example - the "too much screen time" conversation ... can quickly lead to tech bans. Is there too much screen time? Yep - we've had technology shoved down our throats for so long and we've being promised that various programs are going to be the "fixes" in education. I've never agreed and now we see research backing that up. So let's use tech for what it's good for, and skip it when it's a babysitter or time filler or the easier option.
I am going to focus on doing what I can to push back against the negatives. I know it's exhausting and hard. Personally, I've come close to tears more times that I'd care to admit already this year. So how do I plan to push back?
Here's my plan:
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I don't say this lightly. I've written numerous blogs over the last few years trying to help myself wrap my head around everything that is happening right now in education. I feel like we are on a hamster wheel and even though we are doing a great job of running faster and faster, it's not something we can keep doing.
I believe Jonathan Haidt has started the ball rolling with his book "Anxious Generation" and I don't believe too many believe are really going to put up a fight against social media needing to be postponed. Now we need to shift the conversation to doing what is right with technology in the classrooms.
I have recently finished the book "Digital Delusions" by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath. Dr. Horvath shares a compelling argument that we need to pull back on the heavy use of technology. One of my most favorite lines in this book is "Not anti-tech. Pro-learning." When I read that, I thought, "YES! This is the exact shift we need to work towards! Let's do what is best for our students to learn."
Here's my challenge ... let's cut out the use of devices at indoor recess and aim for zero "free time" on the devices. I know there are a lot of teachers out there doing this and I hope they share how it is going in their rooms. We can do this!
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How often do you & your colleagues talk about technology? Is it more of a gripe session? Is anyone excited about a tool or program? Lately I've been having quite a few conversations involving technology. And most have had an element of frustration to them.
Listen, I love technology. I think it can do some pretty awesome stuff, but I feel like we are moving away from using tech to enhance learning and toward using tech because it's available. Why? There is so much more pressure on schools and teachers than ever before. I also believe there is a growing misconception that technology has some sort of magical powers. But that simply is not true.
Here's a recap of the recent conversations I've been part of ... have you had any of them, too?
None of these conversations are earth shattering. Nor are they "new". But I do feel like we are looking at it all with a different lense right now. We know that shoving tech at our kids is not the answer. We even know that tech can have some negative effects on our kids. But I feel like we are "resigned" to the idea that kids HAVE to have tech all the time.
I'd like to start moving the conversation in the direction of when is tech appropriate and purposeful rather than just accepting it. I want to engage with our teachers that while the kids have a device, that doesn't mean everything must be done with tech. I want to ensure that our kids know we are putting every effort into structuring their education in a way that maximizes their opportunities.
I know one person can't move the needle, but one person can strike up a conversation and encourage others to give thought to these questions. Once the conversations start & keep flowing, you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish.
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