PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
TECHNOFERENCE
I came across this term while reading an online article. It basically talked about the interference that technology is causing in peoples lives and how we are dealing with our addictions to the technology we have. One of the major effects is that family connections are being damaged. So how do you improve your family time and interactions and still use technology effectively?
I often take my three year old grandson to the local park. I constantly see other parents with their children and Mum or Dad on their phones while the kids are ‘playing’ or trying to get their parents involved in their play. ‘In a minute’ is often used as they check their messages. Does this sound familiar? Is it something that you have seen?
Ninety-eight percent of families have at least one internet connected device in the home. Parents use their device for an average 3.5 hours per day and children for 2.5. But this varies widely depending on the situation. Research says that 47% of families use devices while eating the evening meal.
Research also tells us that parents consumed by their devices have an effect on their own children. The children can become sad or withdrawn or can act out to get their parents attention. Haven’t we all been having a wonderful conversation with others when suddenly a phone rings or beeps. In a millisecond it is instantly checked, indicating it as a priority over conversation.
When I read this article I immediately took stock of the technoference in my own life. And I was a little disappointed. Although I am old enough to have spent my early life without the internet, I haven’t ‘grown up’ with a mobile phone (and therefore am not fully addicted). I do have a heavy reliance on it though. Most of my use is as a work tool, but I also use it for many other purposes that sometimes interfere with my family relationships. The versatility and range of needs it meets, makes the phone very attractive. Not only does it meet our needs for communication and entertainment it also occupies us.
To understand the importance of mobile technology and its good uses is important. It is such a necessary tool for so many people over a range of purposes. But to also understand the negative side of excessive use is equally important.
We use technology extensively at the school if it supports the students learning. Our teachers constantly use technology to develop resources for the classroom and assist their teaching.
Why don’t you do an audit of your technoference? Why not google the term and have a read? (Statistics from The Conversation).
