1 An Undeniable Shift
Movement and Technology: The Adversarial Relationship
A Society on the Move
The Decline of Movement >
The Digital Age
The Rise of Technology <
A Change of Course
Movement and Technology: The Adversarial Relationship
Moving in Opposition
It’s quite paradoxical that in our past, our societal needs included maximum movement with minimal technology, yet today’s public demands are almost in complete opposition as technology is expanding and movement is diminishing. This technological transition is laced with immeasurable benefits! However, the educational direction that ultimately results from this adversarial movement/technology relationship is limiting the academic achievement of today’s learners while deteriorating their health and well-being. The concept of a blended teaching and learning approach that defines the balance between utilizing kinesthetic teaching methodologies and technological resources to optimize student learning and success is long overdue. Merging these two concepts promotes a classroom environment that meets content standards effectively, increases standardized test scores, and enriches the learning process while preparing students for future challenges. In addition, this teaching philosophy educates the learner as a whole: encouraging social, physical, mental/emotional, and cognitive growth. Preparing students for life’s future tasks and trials goes beyond grades and test scores. This blended teaching style provides a comprehensive means for improving academic success while enhancing the overall life skills of the learner.
As a society, we have idly observed the health, fitness, and physical activity levels of our children rapidly decrease as technology has taken the spotlight in our educational practices and designs. We have observed a shift toward the need for technology engulfing nearly every aspect of our learning and being. As we deepen our knowledge about the capabilities of this era, it is easy to get swept away by its vast advantages, uses, and rewards. In many aspects, technology has simply made things easier for us as human beings and as learners. Having access to unlimited resources at the tap of a finger makes it easy to see how our society continues to develop and increase the demands for technology uses with aggressive efforts for future growth and expansion. However, as educators in a technologically run society, it seems as though we are not pausing enough to see the entire picture of how this is affecting our students. We are failing to see all the consequences, especially the negative ones. We need to take the time to evaluate the delivery of our lessons and question whether we are moving in the direction that supports best practices for optimal learning in all situations and conditions. Perhaps most importantly, we need to consider whether or not we are educating our youth to be healthy, intelligent, well-rounded humanitarians who will lead our country with grace and success and for the good of all.
A Time for Concern
There is an abundance of quotes that define the importance of having balance in one’s life. Many people are familiar with the common saying, “everything in moderation.” What about balance and moderation in the classroom? These concepts should also exist in teaching and learning. As educational leaders, we tend to overuse technology and underuse kinesthetic teaching strategies to optimize learner success. We fail to consistently deliver curriculums with multiple teaching techniques to meet the needs of a variety of learning preferences. In your own classroom, would you say that you engage students physically to improve their learning state for greater cognitive output? Often, students sit for too long as educators deliver content through traditional means and digital resources. What are your concerns when you look at your current students and the ways in which you’ve seen children changing through your years of service?
The reality is that children and adolescents devote much of their time, at both school and home, to technology and digital resources. In later chapters, statistics and detailed information will be shared that illustrate the significance of this, along with the damaging effects it is having on our youth. The younger generation is spending too much time watching television, playing video games, texting, and interacting on social media. At a quick glance, these outlets may seem harmless. However, as digital addictions grow, children and adolescents are becoming sedentary people with an increasing collection of physical, social, and mental/emotional health problems. The time for concern is now! As educators, we’ve made a commitment to care for the well-being of the whole child, and the overall wellness of our students cannot be ignored. Educational facilities are encouraged to look for active means to reverse these damaging trends. Implementing more movement and kinesthetic teaching methodologies into schools and classrooms is a step in the right direction to combat these technological dependencies. Action must be immediate, persistent, effective, and ongoing.
A Society on the Move
A Past Perspective
Later in this chapter, as we dive deeper into the history of movement, we will clearly see that we were consistently a society of movers. The reasons for physical activity and the levels of intensity evolved over time to fit our societal, cultural, and personal needs. When you recall your own childhood, would you describe yourself as active? In the past, children played outside with their peers for extensive hours. This sense of free play was enjoyed and valued. Physical activity was viewed as an important part of making childhood memories. These experiences played a role in helping youngsters become the people they are today. Life skills were developed during peer encounters and free play, while movement and physical activity were highly esteemed throughout history. We were a society that moved for our livelihood, work, play, fitness, health, and enjoyment. It was essential, desired, and expected. Most viewed physical activity as a standard, and minimal thought was put into its process. We just did it and it was a part of who we were.
When most teachers reflect on their own childhood education, they typically recall minimal movement throughout the school day with the exception of recess and physical education classes. However, these same people will also say they were physically active outside of school hours. It was common for children and adolescents to play outside until it was dark and a family member ordered them back to the home for the evening. In this example, the sedentary nature of the school day had a minimal effect on the health and well-being of this generation because of the active lifestyles in the home environment. Children often played with neighbors as they organized and managed their own games and activities without parental assistance. The historical viewpoint in regard to movement is strong and constant. Although needs and interests changed throughout the years, we were steadily viewed as a society of movers.
A Present and Future Perception
Is our younger generation still considered to be a society of movers? At one point in history, we moved all day long for survival. Eventually, we developed into a culture that sat during the school day but was physically active in the evenings. What about today? Many would agree that we have now produced a generation that is not only sedentary during the school day but throughout the evening as well. If you can recognize this transition, you will find it difficult to consider us a youthful society that leads physically active lives. This perspective is not meant to discount the percentage of our children and adolescents who engage in sports and clubs that include exercise and movement. However, when we look at the statistics forthcoming, there is evidence of a recognizable decrease in the amount of physical movement of the current generation in comparison to their predecessors.
This decrease in movement and active lifestyles is affecting the future health and well-being of our youth. Students’ values are changing. Many believe that education is influencing this downward spiral. If we step back and look at the big picture of where technology is taking us, it’s frightening. The more technology increases, the more the movement