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Not All Screen Time is the Same
In today's digital age, screen time has become an increasingly prevalent aspect of our lives. Whether working on a computer, scrolling through social media on our phones, or watching TV. However, with this increased screen time comes concerns about its potential effects on our health and well-being.
We have the power to make a lasting impact on our students' lives. With digital tools, we can enhance their learning experience, but we must be mindful of the media we use. Creation-based activities are more powerful than consuming media. So, let's prioritize them whenever possible. Encourage students to create videos to reflect on their learning, or infographics to explain a concept. This promotes critical thinking and valuable media creation skills that they can use in the future. Let's inspire our students to become creators and innovators in this digital world.
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What does the research say?
There is a difference between educational screen time and passive screen time (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).
According to a study, the medical and psychological fields have acknowledged that all screen time is not harmful, but rather passive use of screens is harmful. The study also notes that using technology for educational purposes is the least harmful to children. (Nathanson et al., 2019).
What is Screen Time?
How to Create Balance?
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Other Tips:
- Take breaks: Encourage breaks every 30-60 minutes to rest the eyes and reduce strain. Physical activity during breaks is also helpful.
- Create screen-free zones: Designate certain areas in the home where screens are not allowed, such as bedrooms or mealtime.
- Model good behavior: Lead by example and reduce your own screen time. Spend quality time with your family doing non-screen-related activities.
- Use screens for educational purposes: Encourage using screens for learning and educational purposes. Encourage kids to play educational games, and watch documentaries or educational videos.
- Take an active role in your children's media education by co-viewing programs with them and discussing values.
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Screen Time recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics
- 18 MONTHS & YOUNGER: Avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting.
- 18 - 24 MONTHS: Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they're seeing.
- 2 - 5 YEARS: Limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs.Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
- 6 - 12 YEARS: Place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the olace of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.
- 12 YEARS AND OLDER: Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
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At North East ISD we are dedicated to providing our students with a world-class education that equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. We recognize the transformative power of technology and its potential to enhance learning experiences. Thus, we hereby commit to the purposeful integration of technology in our classrooms.
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Feedback from Stakeholder
I am genuinely concerned about the idea of my child spending too much time with what feels like a digital babysitter. I believe that their time could be better spent engaging in more productive and educational activities.
It’s disheartening for me to think that they might be sitting in front a computer without actively learning or gaining valuable skills.
-Barbara Croom
NEISD ParentI love using Canva, Google Slides, and Adobe because I get to be super creative and show what I've learned in a fun way. Plus, I can learn anywhere, not just in school. Learning about countries is at my fingertips.
-Rylan Koudelka
NEISD StudentOne of the things I appreciate about using technology is that it allows opportunities for my teachers to transform traditional lessons for students. They can collaborate and communicate in innovative ways. Whether they are using digital tools to work on group projects or sharing their work with peers online, they are developing important future-ready skills that will serve them well in their future careers.
-Kathy Goldblum-Vazquez
Assistant Principal