Our behavior determines our outcomes

Technology commands an even greater presence in our lives, our homes, and our schools. Our children are therefore growing up in an era of seemingly unprecedented rates of change. As parents, we too are facing challenges that were not contemplated by our own parents. And in our classrooms, teachers are both coming to terms with how and when technology serves the learning needs of our students, understanding that going 'back to basics' is actually just going backward because 'basics' in 2018 must capture our reality. We live in a digital age.  

What worries us is not so much technology, but the nature of information and content that it delivers. We are concerned about content that is explicitly violent, is explicit about adult sexual behavior, and we're concerned about information that isn't information at all. We worry about how much time we (including adults) spend using technology, and we worry about the role it's playing in the way that we form and develop relationships, especially through social media. 

We’re interested therefore in how to ‘fix’ things for our kids. We are naturally interested in how to restrict access to the internet, block applications, place timers and time-outs on technology. While these all have a role to place for different children, collectively they just haven’t really worked like we would hope. Certainly, they haven’t adequately addressed our concerns because ‘policing’ is rarely enough. What we aspire to is ‘mentorship’. 

But what we do know is that our behavior determines our outcomes. For example, when we send our children to the playground we expect children to have fun! We expect them to run around, take turns, share, and if a conflict arises, we are there to help navigate what are well-understood strategies for resolving the conflict. We know the physical risks they playground poses, and we advise children about these if needed. Everyone knows and understands their role because we teach these skills from the time they are old enough to walk. 

What happens in digital spaces though? As a teacher or parent: Do I understand the risks like I do on the playground? What role am I playing in the digital playground? Do I understand the digital space like I do the playground? Do I understand my role and responsibilities? Are my expectations understood? Do children understand theirs? Our behavior, as in the playground, determines our outcomes. 

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for March 12. Our second ‘Living and Learning in the Digital Age’ will be in i311 from 8:30 a.m.—9:30 a.m. for all interested parents. 

As a parent, what role do you want to play in helping your children to be happy, healthy, confident consumers, and creators of digital content? There are no simple straightforward answers that can match the complexity that digital technologies have brought to our lives, but we do have strategies to share and believe there is power in engaging with other parents to share what’s working, and perhaps what’s challenging right now. 

Didn’t make it to the January Parent Coffee (Part 1) though? It’s not a problem! Our March 12 session references our previous session, but it’s actually for any parent wanting to jump in and get some ideas, perspectives, and strategies to use at home with your kids. You will be talking to us and other parents, and you will walk away with resources that you can begin to use immediately with your family.