Blog Post #8

I enjoyed working on the Web Design project. I've only ever used Wix to create a website, so this was a nice change in what tools I use. I learned how to best utilize text over images for looks and for easy reading, and I really like how my website turned out. I also think my colors flow very nicely. The only thing I wish I could've done better was hyperlink the websites to the names of the websites, but it just wasn't working through Weebly. I checked tutorials and I was doing exactly what it showed, but it didn't want to link to the text. While I do think it's nice to know the basics of how to use Weebly, I see myself more likely to use Wix in the future. The QR code to my website is on the right.

I do also think QR codes can be very helpful in a classroom. Much like the one above, they can give easy access to important information for students. Stuff like websites, Google Forms, PDFs, etc. can all be turned into QR codes. Students can take a picture of it for later, open them up in class, send them to family--so many ways to use them. Since I plan on teaching kindergarten, I don't see QR codes being very useful (as most students likely won't have a phone), but I do think they can be very helpful in other grades.

Dilemma: Screen Time vs. Learning Opportunities

You are teaching a class of 5-year-olds, and you’ve been introduced to a new educational app designed to enhance literacy skills for young children. The app provides interactive games and fun activities that are aligned with your curriculum. Many children love using it, and it's proving to be an engaging way for them to practice phonics and reading skills.

However, there are concerns about the amount of screen time that young children should have each day. Research suggests that excessive screen time can negatively affect young children's development, including their social skills, attention span, and physical health. On the other hand, the app is an effective learning tool and using it seems to provide a convenient way to track and improve each child’s progress.

You’re tasked with determining how often and how much time children should spend on this app during class hours, considering both the educational benefits and the potential risks of too much screen time.

The ethical dilemma:

Should you prioritize the use of technology to enhance learning, potentially leading to more screen time, or limit its use to ensure that the children have balanced activities that promote other aspects of their development (e.g., play, social interaction, physical activity)? What if some children are progressing faster with the app, while others might be falling behind because they aren't engaging with it as much?

This situation involves balancing the potential benefits of educational technology with the well-being and development needs of young children. It raises questions about the appropriate role of technology in early childhood education, and how to ensure that it supports rather than hinders holistic development.

Question for the teacher:

How can I balance the educational benefits of using the literacy app with the need to limit young children’s screen time for their overall development?

How can I balance the educational benefits of using the literacy app with the need to limit young children’s screen time for their overall development?

I think this is a very valid dilemma to consider since interactive technology can help a lot with learning at a young age. I do think that students should limit the amount of screen time they use, especially that young, so I'd try to limit it to 20-30 minutes on in-class time spent on interactive technology. I would keep it open for students to use at home, and whatever they do out of class is entirely up to their parents. If I try to limit their at-home technology use, I'd be overstepping their parenting, and that's not my job.