Go Outside and Play!

Audrey and Wyatt's Poomse for TaeKwonDo

How much is too much for our Digital Natives?  I mean, between them being tethered to their phones, iPods, iPads, and laptops, (plus the mindless episodes of SpongeBob) when are they getting unplugged and playing?

I realize that I preach endlessly on the benefits of technology, especially when it comes to teaching, but the truth is I think that we can oversaturate our kids to an unhealthy point if we are not careful.  I earlier blogged that one of the benefits of cell phones in school is that students learn proper self-control of the device.  I feel that this same sort of control needs to be exhibited with all of the electronic devices in students' lives. It does not make sense to allow for unlimited access to technology, even for Digital Natives. These students may have been born with an iPad touch in hand, but their ability to self-regulate is not even close to being developed.

One great thing about teaching with technology is the efficiency of instruction and learning. Immediate feedback from on-line activities, interactive lessons, and game-like instruction make learning from technology not only more fun, but also more appealing.  Students that take virtual classes or attend  virtual schools especially spend a majority of their school day at a computer.  Learning management systems like My Big Campus allow any teacher to use technology to enhance their instruction and transform their classrooms into places where students are gaining 21st Century skills while learning content.  It is important to acknowledge that many of these hours in school are on-line and need to be accounted for when thinking of activities for students outside of school.

I know that once my own kids get home from school and I am tired from a full day's work, it is easiest to turn on some sort of electronic babysitter.  I can justify this by telling myself that they have been running around all day.  The truth is, however, that they are plugged in quite a bit during the day instead of running laps around the building.  Especially on the rainiest of days, I occasionally give in to the computer play or television shows.  I do notice, however,  that this type of plan usually backfires at bedtime when the kids are completely wired after expending little energy during the day.

For my kids to make the most out of their academic time on-line, they need to be monitored with their extra-curricular activities to provide a balance of digital play and physical play. Even on rainy days, we can mix it up with some active games on the Wii.  Teaching these Digital Natives a healthy balance of physical and technological activities will prove to be no small task as evidenced by the climbing childhood obesity and diabetes rates in the United States.  It is clear, though that part of teaching good digital citizenship is teaching students when to unplug...and go outside and play!