When was the last time you checked your email? Sent a text? Looked at a website? In the past 15-20 years, our society has become so engrossed in technology that we have not only come to depend on it, but we have become addicted. Much like an alcoholic going through withdrawal, I have witnessed children, and adults alike, become visibly disturbed and upset by the loss of connection by way of technology.
I grew up spending many hours of my summer in the woods with my family. I spent days learning about trees, animals, rivers, and hiking, and my evening around a campfire learning how to cook, build shelters, make a fire for survival, and communicate with my friends and family. I didn't have a computer until I was 12 years old, and since then, have never been without technology for longer than a few days ever again.
These days I spend more than 12 hours a day on a computer, and honestly, I crave that escape that I used to have as a child. I spend family time sitting in a circle looking up information on phones and iPads rather than around a campfire telling stories. So when and how do we decide when technology is too much?
More and more, schools are going to a one-to-one program with technology for our students. While this can often help students experience a world that they otherwise wouldn't have been able to, it also puts us in a position to sometimes not allow students to build important communication and interpersonal skills. While I see the amazing benefits of technology in schools, I also always try to take a step back and think about how much is too much. Am I just using technology to say that I can, or is it really benefitting my students in a way they could not learn otherwise. I encourage you to ask your self the same the next time you are lesson planning. When is technology too much?
