Continuing the growth pattern of our current technology usage will affect our future generations. No one will think of being digital in this age because it will be a vast, silent element that outlines the essence of our being. The Internet and cell phones will be background utilities and only noticeable when they are not in our presence. Technologies will be instinctively used by babies as they grow alongside one another. A society that fully emerges and isolates itself in technology will have an uninviting social agenda. Human connection and interaction will be redefined with a complete overhaul of new expectations and behaviors. Teaching and learning will be transformed. Questioning the need for educators may even take place as robots and online education develop and expand. Perhaps the most blurred line will become that of what is real or virtual. It’s critical to bear in mind that the future can be changed, as nothing is definite. We can learn to acquire the benefits of technology while refusing its demand, so it does not consume our children’s lives as well as our own. There is a line we must discover and identify before we can truly ensure that the proper steps will be taken to defend against this all-consuming direction. Balancing movement and technology in the classroom will help us to define and intentionally navigate this line for appropriate redirection.
Some educators are not using technology in their classroom because they have rejected this teaching methodology. This book will ask all teachers and school leaders to reconsider this way of thinking as well. Technology will play a significant role in the future of education. We must embrace this notion with the same energy that we have for kinesthetic strategies. The goal is for movement and technology to work together in unison to optimize learning. Each teaching and learning technique will have its advantages and disadvantages, but merging their strengths will create a powerhouse teaching tool that will peak performance and learning potential. Students will become well-rounded learners prepared to tackle future challenges and tasks with a healthy body and mind.
The Rise of Technology <
A Timeline of Change
The evolution of influential technology is represented by the less than symbol (<). This character illustrates the initial impact of technology in the past (the pointed end) along with its growth and future possibilities (the infinite, wide end) as we look ahead. In Figure 1.2, an undisputable timeline of growth is represented with technology inventions, advances, and devices. Computers, video games, laptops, and cell phones were the first to arrive on the market. At first, these products came with a hefty price tag, limiting sales to those who had the financial means to purchase them. Eventually, prices were lowered, and more people were able to afford these creations. In 1990, the World Wide Web was developed and global communications and networking became readily accessible.
The early 1990s brought about PlayStation, Yahoo, and smartphones. Many believe that PlayStation redefined gaming as sales skyrocketed and numbers climbed. Cell phones became multifunctioning devices, and people began to use them as personal planners. Technology was becoming as much a part of social fabric as it was in the world of business. From 1995 to 1997, Amazon, eBay, Hotmail, Java, WebTV, Google, and blogging hit the scene. Technology seemed to be growing at an unstoppable rate. Online shopping was a novelty that provided a desired convenience to the overworked consumer who had limited time.
Figure 1.2 ■ The Evolution of Influential Technology <
From 2000 to 2006, noticeable attention was directed toward social media outlets such as Myspace, Skype, Facebook, and Twitter. It seemed as though there was a need for social networking opportunities, and technology was ready to respond. Communication was being revised. Face-to-face conversations were decreasing and online chatting, texting, and tweeting were becoming the norm. Gaming inventions were also escalating as PlayStation2, Xbox, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 were advancing and increasing persistently. We were quickly becoming a society consumed with technological uses and advancements. Before we knew what had happened, much of our society became engrossed in digital devices. Today, our devices frequently serve as a distraction as we attempt to focus on “old-fashioned” notions such as verbal communication, listening, and physical activity. Out with the old and in with the new. But what if the new is detrimental to the health, overall happiness, and survival of the people it serves?
The Impact on Learning
The evolution of technology has and will continue to impact our schools, teachers, and students. In Chapter 6, we will evaluate the role it plays in your own life. We will ask if you are addicted to your cell phone, television, texting, gaming, or Facebook. You will be encouraged to consider how much time you spend using technology and whether you place limits on yourself. Technological advancements have brought convenience, entertainment, and opportunities for socialization to us with the click of a button—but at what cost? Some people are always viewing special moments in life through a lens on their phone, camera, or iPad. Sure, there is something to be said about capturing a significant event in a picture or video. However, some would argue that viewing an entire concert through a lens really isn’t worth it. It is questionable whether we are enjoying the production to its fullest extent. The beauty of the sounds being sung might not be heard, and our attention might instead be on whether or not the camera is focused and centered. Are you one of these people? If you realize that you are addicted to technology, you may be able to see how this can affect your teaching and maybe even your content delivery. In this book, you will be encouraged to evaluate your own life choices in regard to your digital usage. It will be difficult for you to reverse the current direction of our society if you are also following a destructive path and are not willing to change. Life is meant to be about growth, change, and redirection. Sometimes, the redirection takes us back to a time in life when our values were more in line with a happier, healthier individual or to a childhood filled with great memories of play, physical activity, and face-to-face time with friends. There is also something to be said about looking for balance in life (and in classrooms) while providing the effort to sustain it.
Consider how students have been affected by technology and how their learning, attention, or focuses have been influenced. Their priorities and interests have shifted as a result of digital advancement, and schools should take action to ensure that technology plays a significant role in learning but is not overused. Schools will need to provide support to students who suffer from addictions related to their devices or depression that is connected to social media. Excessive technology dependency is a serious concern in our current culture. We must evaluate our choices, priorities, and behaviors to determine if we are acting in our best interest. As an educator, you are the leader of your classroom or school and can determine how it functions and proceeds. You can deliver your content in a manner that fits learners’ needs yet stretches them outside their comfort level to build stronger humanitarians. Without question, technology has its value. However, it can—and is—being overused in many instances.
Schools will be urged to incorporate policies and limits on cell phone usage, if these are not already in place. If students are using their phones throughout their class for personal means, even though they are instructed not to, this is an educational concern. Cellular usage is a difficult gray area. We want children to have phones for safety and educational purposes, but addiction can consume their thoughts and distract them from the very purpose you intended them to have. Education and self-management on healthy digital usage needs to be a top priority in classrooms and home environments. We must look for learning, social, and entertainment outlets for our youngsters that do not include technology. Physical activity, exercise, and active teaching techniques should be first on our list. These experiences will allow for social,