I noticed recently, when people learn I am an educator,
I receive an immediate apology.
Complete strangers will express their concern for the state of America’s
youth and feel compelled to apologize for the behavior (assumed to be horrific)
of children as a whole. The
frequency of such exchanges is increasing and descriptions of American children
carry the same theme: texting, Facebooking, computer-game playing cyber-bullies
who lack basic social skills and common decency. While I assure you America’s children are both thoughtful
and social, I can not help but wonder: Has the integration of technology into all areas of a child's life created one-dimensional learners?
While no sweeping generalizations can be made, I feel
confident stating technology instruction has focused too much on devices and
applications at the expense of cultivating character for the digital world. Learners in today’s digital era have more opportunities to
cheat, to plagiarize, and to inflict harm on others than ever before. Bullies can now hide behind computer
screens and anonymous usernames while using Photoshop and Instagram to inflict
harm, in addition to fists and verbal assaults. Exams are photographed by a first period learner at the back
of the classroom and texted to friends who will sit for the test later in the
day. Entire research papers can be
purchased for twenty dollars.
Worst of all, with a single click, technology can connect children with
adults whose intentions are less than pure. Kindergardners can navigate through the internet and operate
an I-Pad, but can they utilize technology responsibly and safely? Unfortunately, educators and parents
are failing to teach children how character traits translate into the digital
world.
Schools commit hundreds of hours every year to teaching
learners how to walk in the halls, work in groups, share, settle arguments,
express frustration, seek help from adults when necessary (the list could
continue for many, many pages).
Unfortunately, a child’s reality now extends far beyond hallways and
classrooms, beyond kitchen tables and carpools. Children interact digitally throughout the entire day, both at school and home. While reflecting on this reality, two
questions surfaced:
- How
many hours per day do children spend on technological devices (this
includes school related work and social interactions)?
- How much time do I dedicate per day to instructing children on internet safety and acceptable use of technological devices?
The integration of technology has outpaced the ability to
educators and parents to train children on proper use of every device and application. The minute I start to grasp how to instruct learners on proper use of Facebook,
Twitter appears. Then, while
trying to discuss Twitter, they are all using Instagram. While I stress over the prevalence of
smartphones with cameras, learners start creating Vines. Now I worry about my teenage learners being responsible with video cameras. I had to resign myself to a harsh
reality – I will NEVER be able to keep up with EVERY technological advancement. So I changed my approach.
Instead of trying to teach responsible usage for every form
of technology, I will focus on developing character traits that will prepare
learners for any kind of technology.
I will model to learners what integrity, respect, citizenship, and
leadership look like in the digital world. I will create multi-dimensional learners.
Over the next few weeks, I will share theories and specific activities on developing multi-dimensional learners. I would love to hear what you do to protect learners from harm in the digital world and how you teach character traits to digital natives.
