Through my studies in education and working with students in classrooms, technology certainly brings a new perspective to learning. Students not only have the ability to research topics instantly through the use of the internet, but they can also talk to other students in different countries, take virtual field trips to museums that are in other cities, and write or edit papers quickly.
I will certainly be showing my age when writing this, but while I was in high school, the only thing that was anywhere close to a computer was a typewriter. If we edited our papers, we would end up writing on them and then retyping them to turn in. And, hopefully, there would be no mistakes or we would have to start all over!
Times have certainly changed! To me though, there is a drawdown. Instead of middle school students being challenged by a rubik cube, many now play games on Ipods, Ipads, Iphones, Kindles, Gameboys, or some other widget out there… There is nothing wrong with playing games for entertainment purposes, but parents should be aware of how much time their children use technology.
My wife and I are just as guilty as the next – our house is filled with electronic gadgets. But, we set limits on how much television they watch or how long they “play” on the computer.
I think children nowadays look at what we did as children, and think we had to have been bored out of our minds with the lack of technology. But, actually, remembering some of the games we used to play as a kid and teaching them to my children can make for an enjoyable afternoon.
Additionally, it is important for kids to use play time for “play time”. While my daughter was playing a game on a computer, another one of her friends knocked on the door and wanted to play. My daughter continued to play on the computer as her friend sat next to her and played on her Iphone. I watched as the two “played” together, each doing their own thing with their own device. Then, I began thinking, this is not right…I stopped them, and told the two to go and enjoy the outdoors. It was not long before a game of volleyball started. And, before long our entire family joined the game.
As a father, I would caution any parent out there to be mindful about how much technology your kids use on a daily basis. Being in front of the television all day or playing computer games might offer some educational benefits, but doing things as a family and teaching our children something useful through play will go a long way in the long run. Besides, I would certainly be delighted to hear my grandson or granddaughter ask me to play a game of “HORSE” someday.
About the author: Max Winegar is a male military spouse and stay at home dad to a nine year old girl and three year old boy. Max has been married to an Army officer for nearly 13 years and has recently started his own FaceBook page, "Freedom and Fatherhood."
