The Kaiser Family Foundation has related that the use of every type of media (with the exception of reading, which is crushing for me to internalize) has increased over the past ten years. This finding alone is not overly shocking. What is a bit startling to me was looking at the statistical data in regards to kids access to the many different media devices. More to the point, the amount of time that kids spend utilizing the different types of available media on a daily basis. It is also a bit disheartening for me to read that reading is an exception to the increase of media use. A further statistic that stood out for me was from Project Tomorrows Speak Up. 2010 research findings show that half of girls and one third of boys regularly update their own social network sites. It is stated that this is an increase of over 125% from 2005, and most are kids who are not even old enough to register legally on the sites! UMMM, as a parent I am a bit taken back by this. I guess this finding is a bit hard for me to except. I am all about playing outside, creating projects from craft materials bought at Hobby Lobby, or engaging in a board game. I can not imagine my son sitting and chatting on a social media web site. However, I do realize the day will come, and with looking at current trends, that day will most likely come sooner then I expect. By no means am I against social media web sites, what I am against is kids spending their afternoons and evenings glued to them.
The Horizon report states that "The abundance of resources and relationships that are made more easily accessible via the Internet is challenging us to revisit our roles as educators". In regards to this, I do feel that educators need to find ways to use this for their students academic advantage. The bottom line is, technology is overwhelmingly available to kids. I am certain most kids know more about the latest technological media devices and sites then I ever will. Further, it ENGAGES them, much more then pencil and paper worksheets do. Therefore, educators should utilize it for the benefits of academic learning as much as they can. If it means students will participate and be actively involved in their learning, then why not?
Yes, all very interesting (and telling) statistics. My 11 year old twins are just now getting into Instagram. I still will not let them have Facebook accounts even though a large number of their friends have them (and one tried to "friend" me!).
ReplyDeleteThe research also went on to say that if students are monitored by their parents in regards to the amount of time they spend using technology then they tend to use it less. It's on us as parents to monitor use.
As educators it is also our responsibility to find new methodologies to reach our students. With or without technology.