Educational Statistics In Technology
Hi All!
I was able to look over useful statistics on a very popular educational website we use where I work called Common Sense Media. Click Here to view useful information on CSM. Common Sense Media proves very useful information for students, parents and teachers. We primarily use this resource option to research new book orders that may be a good fit for our students. There is useful information on book reviews and the opinion of others who have read these books. Parents can leave their opinion about the book and the appropriate age group the book is suitable for. Kids who read books can also leave their opinions, as well as what they feel the appropriate age is targeted for. There are categories displayed under each book review that allows explicit details about vulgar language, violence, positive role-models, sex and much more.
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Looking further into CSM, I came across some interesting information about" Connection and Control: Case Studies of Media Use Among Lower-Income Minority Youth and Parents ".On pages 3-5, you can view specifics on the statistics of the screen time viewed. Click Here to view more info. It was surprising to me how much time these minority tweens and teens spent on social media, gaming, or watching television. The information mentioned Latino and African American students, ages 11-15, who spent anywhere from 1.5-9.5 hours on screen time. As I read the information, I began to reflect on the students in my school. With the some of the homework my students are given, they are required to spend time on the internet. Personally, this is opening up a door for them to entertain other reasons to be on the internet, other than homework purposes. As an adult, it is easy to open up another tab while working, to check email, shop or for social media reasons. As a tween or teen, the temptation could be much worse. I also reflected on how each student faces temptation with all the technology they are exposed to daily. As technology rapidly grows in the society, so are the risks of students being exposed to more screen time.
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Educational research could be important for educators because they are able to come across useful information they may not have known. Educators could learn new information about different topics, ideas or ways to help enhance student learning. Educators could adapt other ways to support students. If educators conduct research prior to some assignments that may require the use of technology, maybe some of these assignments can be done in a school setting where students will be monitored. Although there is a risk of doing other things on the internet, school computers also have the proper security to block off some sites children should not visit. Another reason educators should conduct research, is so they can be in the loop with what is happening and could be happening to their students. The information on the statistics I read today made me feel that parents should also be aware of what is going on and should be informed about it.
Common Sense Media is an excellent organization. I am happy that they are now delving into educational technology research. I don't know that I found the student statistics surprising but I hadn't thought about the fact that as we assign them homework on the Internet this aids in their ability to become distracted. Great point.
ReplyDeleteI do not find the statistics surprising. It's so easy to give into temptation if it is so accessible. There are a variety of ways they can get distracted such as checking their Facebook, texting a friend back, or taking a break to watch Netflix. Students are often multitasking or task-switching when doing homework which can hinder their productivity.
ReplyDeleteI talked a little about some similar ideas in my blog this week. The community that I live in has been actively trying to educate parents about limiting screen time. A parent organization hosted a showing of the movie Screenagers for people in our district. And one of the lines that stuck with me was something along the lines of, 'the digital divide is no longer between those that have technology and those that don't, but between those who have been told that technology is going to solve all their child's problems and those who work with people help their children succeed.' The movie also pointed out that families with higher incomes and education are more likely to restrict and/or monitor what their children are doing online, and how that's really a necessary component to parenting children/teens with smart phones and internet access.
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