Blog argues that we would be less worried about quantity of time kids spend online if we provided better quality.
"young people will only really engage with digital media for deeper and
wider purposes if they believe their contributions will be valued and
their voices heard. Until then, society will continue to worry about the
time they spend online as if this reflects a lack in young people
rather than in the opportunities that society has to offer them."
http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2014/12/02/maximising-the-opportunities-for-kids-online-where-are-we/
This article relates to a comment in our dinner last week, that we give young people powerful tools without education. Maybe we need to think more about the responsibilities of educators. If we give young people access to such a variety of technological instruments, but without a real proposal that directs their use, are we doing more harm than good?
Relating to the last paragraph of this post, when I was in primary school we did a lot of work on Internet Safety and how to get the most out of our computers. We did projects and lessons on the computer as well as learning about the dangers. I feel this isn't talked about strongly enough in Secondary School. We do have ICT lessons which are about how to use PowerPoint and create animations but I think it would be great to incorporate more on the power of technology in Secondary School. Having said that, I did an ICT (Information and communication technology) qualification last year and it opened my eyes to the use of technology in the wider world. I learnt how to design and produce a website, how to use excel spread sheets in a business and the theory behind databases and computer interfaces. It inspired me to create a blog and I have learnt so much from it. It has done me so much good having an education in ICT and having an understanding of how to use these 'technological instruments' properly so I can used them for a valued purpose.
ReplyDeleteRebecca