As I've gotten older, I've become increasingly willing to be up front and frank about topics that some find controversial and difficult to address. The reality is that a freight train of change has blasted through the world, especially over the time of PoDS' existence (10 years) and all of us, parents and educators alike, are struggling with how to adapt.
About once per quarter, I plan to frankly address issues as I see them. I make no grand claims about being right about everything or about having all the answers, but I know that the only way forward is to confront the issues we're facing in partnership - home and school. I have two goals: to make you aware of the broad trends we're seeing here at school, and to present some ideas to address the problems.
Today's issue: technology use and social media.
The vast majority of students display signs of being addicted to technology and/or social media. This obviously profoundly impacts education and students' ability to learn and willingness to engage in school.
Here's what we've noticed over the last few years (these signs are only becoming more pronounced with each passing year):
>Students are not able to concentrate. Their focus on a task very rarely lasts longer than a minute.
>If classes aren't wildly entertaining, students refuse to engage.
>Students are unwilling to, and increasingly less able to, read. Students' free time is filled almost entirely with technology (phones and/or video games) and reading for leisure has basically become extinct. Being frank, this issue is becoming more prevalent among adults, too.
>Despite being more connected than ever via technology, an alarming number of students report feeling alone with few friends and adults who they feel they can count on.
>Students are becoming increasingly hostile to one another and the number of conflicts has risen. These conflicts are rarely physical, and almost always begin and/or are escalated on technology and/or social media.
Here's what we're doing at school to address these signs:
>Not allowing students to use phones during the school day. This, of course, is imperfect, and we know students sneak the use of them. But the new phone policy has decreased the use of phones.
>Building student connection and relationships through Crew and in classes
>Teaching students how to resolve conflict in an open and productive way
>Attempting to build students' academic attention and endurance through engaging classwork that doesn't involve technology
Here's how you can help:
>Limit your student's access to and use of technology. Find a balance between technology use and other leisure activities (reading, going outside, etc.)
>Monitor and reduce your student's social media use. Research has found that 77% of students use social media for more than two hours per day, with HALF of students using it for four or more hours each day! I'd suggest not allowing students to have their phones in their bedroom at night, instead insisting they are turned off and locked away. 93% of teens report regularly staying up late, or waking up in the middle of the night to use social media.
>Insist that your student read every day for at least 20 minutes
>Stay on top of the messages your student sends and receives. The best way to handle conflict is to not let it get out of hand
Issues related to technology use have exploded in recent years, and they will only be solved with true partnerships between home and school. We're not perfect here at school (far from it!), and know that parenting is the most difficult job in the world. But, together, we can teach students how to persevere and be responsible and appreciate a life that isn't addicted to technology!
Have a wonderful weekend and a restful Thanksgiving break! Enjoy the blessing of time with family and friends!
--
Dan Lathrop
Principal
Point of Discovery School
715.345.5566
dlathrop@pointschools.net
