The #2PencilChat is a weekly conversation about educational technology. As we enter a more student-centered age, let's talk about using all the tools in our toolboxes to be innovative and dynamic teachers.
Hey #2PencilChat! Lauren from NY - teacher of 6th graders and empowerer of students, except for my own two children, both of whom are currently ensconced in screens! 🙄
To be fair, the big one is watching a video about the periodic table and singing along with it, and she claims to know half the elements by atomic number. #2PencilChat
A69 ... can we place a number on it? Is it dependent on what they are doing on the screen. I honestly think if you are walking you should not be looking at your screen ... i am guilty of that. #2pencilchat
A1. Good question. My personal opinion is that the amount of time depends upon the child's age. The older the child, the little bit more time they can get. But. Screen are NOT a substitute for good parenting or education. #2PencilChat
A1 Screen time itself is neutral. The question is, does it help us do the things we value, or does it get in the way of living by our values? And if it does both at once, then we need to find a balance.
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A1 I say I am on quite a bit. Hard to put a number on how much is too much. Part of my job during the day and then I love to connect and continue the learning after hours which often involves a screen. Finding a new joy in podcasts. No screen there. #2PencilChat
A1: Three or more hours of screen time is much for younger children. However, I don't know if allocating a specific amount of screen time is necessary for older children. There just needs to be a balance of off screen activities throughout the day. #2PencilChat
A1...I struggle with an answer to this. How much time is too much, if it's productive time??? I think the next few years will show many differing sides to this argument. I know of many educators who strongly disagree with screen time for younger kids #2PencilChat
Too, oh wait A1.2: We don't drive in our cars to take the dogs out, take the trash out or move around the house. Same with devices. They can take us places so we can discover, but for education it should not be all that is happening *(can be over used)* #2pencilchat
A1 Too much for kids? Maybe 10 minutes per year of age could be appropriate to handle? Didn't quite do the math on that but concocted a formula just now. Don't do the math on that for a 36 year old! Thanks. #2PencilChat
Technology certainly has a place in the classroom, but students must also be active learners! It is hard to put an exact limit on it, but we can combat overuse by ensuring that the activities are educational, meaningful, and challenging #2pencilchat
A1. Our pupils forget most of what we teach them.They will however remember us their teachers forever.Lets be good and kind to them.A kind word lasts a lifetime #2pencilchat
A27 I think there should be a shutdown time ... listen to me talking and not practicing what i am preaching ... wake up in middle of night ... checks social media #2pencilchat
A2: I would say more if you are on a project/researching/producing...less if you are mindlessly playing/consuming with no product or benefit #2pencilchat
I think that's the crucial thing. I also think that if you're using something that habitually causes you to tune out of your life, you need to check yourself, even if it's something good.
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A2: All screen time is not created equally. There are occasions, such as long distance traveling, reading eBooks, completing assignments, that warrant longer screen time. However, children should not be allowed to just play games all day. #2PencilChat
A2: screen time is not all equal. Some has larger limits.. like product creation or reading... in my opinion anyway... though my addicting game is kind of cathartic and mindless for me after a long day. Follow it up with my meditation app :) #2PencilChat
A2 What matters to me? How does screen time help me do what matters to me? How does screen time get in the way of what matters to me? If we can answer these three questions, then we know whether our use of the screen is right for us.
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A2 Screen time used for productive struggle and learning is good stuff. So is using time behind a screen to do good, whether it be lifting others up, supporting a good cause, or publishing work to help others. Use it to support passions. Essentially, #usetech4good. #2PencilChat
This is so true. We don't tell Ss all day what NOT to do. We tell them what behavior we want to see instead. Why don't we do this regarding screen time? Great idea, Carl. #2PencilChat
A2 I loved how someone else mentioned a few minutes ago the idea of consumption versus creation. There are definitely some days in my class where this is a struggle and I feel like some time has been wasted with nonsense screen time, and nothing to show for it... #2PencilChat
A2: Question 2 reminds me that some children nonverbal children use screens, ipads and tablets, as communication devices. In these cases, more is certainly acceptable. #2PencilChat
A2. I feel that all screen time is not equal. There's screen time for work, for education, for entertainment and for mindlessness. The key is to not let any of these consume us. Like anything. They are good in moderation, but too much can be dangerous or toxic. #2PencilChat
Our A2s say a lot about our values. It seems like many of us value learning, creating, and connecting. (Not all that surprising because we’re teachers!)
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A2: screen time is not all equal. Some has larger limits.. like product creation or reading... in my opinion anyway... though my addicting game is kind of cathartic and mindless for me after a long day. Follow it up with my meditation app :) #2PencilChat
A2: For me, screen time is about learning, connecting, and communicating. It is a ‘tool’ for bettering my life and hopefully for helping to serve/support others. #2PencilChat
Your point about how time will tell is a good one. One idea of how it might end up is detailed in the novel Feed. Check this out: Feed https://t.co/ztDOeoiQdw#2PencilChat
A3 Just mindlessly watching videos should be less while more educational "learning experiences" might be ok.....but screen time still needs to be monitored. There is so much in our world to explore & appreciated that doesn't require tech time.#2PencilChat
A2. No, not all screen time is created equally. My profession is on the screen all day long. I think using devices for targeted activities and limiting those activities should be at the heart of "screen time" decisions. #2PencilChat
A3 - a good ol' fashion non-tech project! My fave is an area project where they have to design their plot of land (a park) and what's in it. Easily done on @tinkercad but no tech allowed! #2PencilChat
A3 Anything hands on! Making something, triggering their creativity and sensory skills! Blocks, legos, paper, scissors, glue, paint....can you tell I teach Kinder?? #2PencilChat
A3: Low tech strategies...meaningful conversation and listening, outdoor learning opportunities, daily play and inquiry experiences, laughter, bringing in community ‘experts’. #2PencilChat
A2 Just mindlessly watching videos should be less while more educational "learning experiences" might be ok.....but screen time still needs to be monitored. There is so much in our world to explore & appreciated that doesn't require tech time.#2PencilChat
A3 We read books with themes that matter to the students. We use creative writing & drawing prompts to discover and deepen our thinking. We have deep discussions. We do authentic writing about topics and experiences that matter. Other than docs, no tech needed. #2PencilChat
I find it limiting to define #ScreenTime as a single thing that needs a specific limit. Some of that time is interactive, some is learning -- the fact that it has something to do with a screen is less significant than what you're doing with it. #2PencilChat
A2: screen time is not all equal. Some has larger limits.. like product creation or reading... in my opinion anyway... though my addicting game is kind of cathartic and mindless for me after a long day. Follow it up with my meditation app :) #2PencilChat
A3. For my kids we go outside, play at the bounce house, play with their dolls, read books, play with ice, play matching games, play with toy cars etc. #2PencilChat
I predict that at some point in the future, there will be invisible screens all around us. May sound scary now, but we we'll no longer be differentiating screen time vs. non. We'll look something up by blinking. But I suppose there will always be an "off" switch! #2PencilChat
A2. I feel that all screen time is not equal. There's screen time for work, for education, for entertainment and for mindlessness. The key is to not let any of these consume us. Like anything. They are good in moderation, but too much can be dangerous or toxic. #2PencilChat
A3 With the benefit of teaching high school US gov't, I can simply rely on discussions. Students need very little tech because they almost always have opinions! #2PencilChat
This reminds me of the SAMR Model! Technology can help connect citizens and allow students to “serve and support others.” I will definitely implement screen time in my Social Studies classroom using this philosophy! #SSEDMETHODS#2pencilchat
A2: For me, screen time is about learning, connecting, and communicating. It is a ‘tool’ for bettering my life and hopefully for helping to serve/support others. #2PencilChat
A3 As a world language teacher, it's always a great day when I break out the mini white boards and expo markers for some ole fashioned, low tech competition. Something simple like shouting out words or phrases in English and my Ss write them in French! Love it! #2PencilChat
A4: I find a lot of the parents are dealing with students who just sit on screens at home as well. If parents know that a students is really struggling with balancing screen time and the rest of their life they will usually work with you. #2PencilChat
Growing up, we were limited to one hour of TV a day (for a while, anyway. And the "Sesame Street channel" didn't count toward the total!) Everything else was assumed to allow for unlimited time. But maybe we need to ensure a minimum of, say, outdoor time! #ScreenTime#2PencilChat
A4 We can have collaborative conversations with parents and students about how screen time serves & interferes with their values. We never lose the option to make rules, but better to empower students and parents to make decisions that match their values.
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A4 Provide them w/ the research for screen time recommendations. Challenge families to spend time together without a screen. This might mean sending home games & books for them to do together. Parents are willing to work w/ Ts if given the proper background & tools. #2PencilChat
A4. Not all, but many parents use screen time as a baby sitter because they are so busy or overwhelmed. So, as Ts, it's our job to provide them with other tools they can use. We need to know when they use screen time the most, so we can best help. #2PencilChat
Agreed, Abigail! It really can be a tool to help build up (instead of tear down) relationships with others! I continue to be part of a very strong, connected PLN online. #2PencilChat
A4.1 If parents are going to use screen time, then we can show them some of the more productive, educational, creative sites and apps for their children to use. #2PencilChat
A4 Home to school communication is so important! By offering a “suggested app” list, students can take full advantage of screen time at home! This is a resource you could have available for parents on back-to-school night #SSEDMETHODS#2pencilchat
Maybe...I suppose it depends on how parents see the screen time...if they're partners, maybe pushing is the wrong strategy. Maybe figuring out what works together is better...#2PencilChat
YES. Instead of telling kids what NOT to do, what can they DO? Go outside? Make art? Play a sport? Create a puppet show with rubber unicorns?
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A4: Help parents to understand that screen time is a very real part of our lives today, but a degree of balance is important at school as well as at home. We don’t want to give our kids mixed messages...need to work as partners! #2pencilchat
We are actually working on building our PLN as pre-services teachers! Participating in a live chat, like this one, is a great way to stay connected and continually develop professionally #2PencilChat#SSEDMETHODS
The #DigCitSummit has been great at emphasizing and featuring how kids #UseTech4Good. I also think of the arts. Is ballet #ScreenTime if it's watched over a screen? What about a museum gallery from home, or screens INSIDE a museum? Who defines what counts? #museumed#2PencilChat
A2 Screen time used for productive struggle and learning is good stuff. So is using time behind a screen to do good, whether it be lifting others up, supporting a good cause, or publishing work to help others. Use it to support passions. Essentially, #usetech4good. #2PencilChat
Absolutely right! I can introduce you to many awesome edus if you’re interested! 😊 So many incredible lead learners stay connected and support each other via Twitter (among other tools). #2PencilChat
YES. Instead of telling kids what NOT to do, what can they DO? Go outside? Make art? Play a sport? Create a puppet show with rubber unicorns?
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My family's latest screen addiction is all playing HQ together at 9pm! It's a hoot! We all open the app in our own devices and play the trivia game together! Even though we don't make it past Q4 or Q5 most nights, we follow the entire game and still compete with one another!
A5: Unfortunately, I find a lot of the students I teach cannot make wise decisions about their own screen time. They would stay attached to screens 24/7 if possible. #2PencilChat
A5 Again, I think that showing students a wide range of things that are enjoyable is a great way to help them make balanced choices in life. #2PencilChat
Is the idea of a school-hosted Twitter chat for families totally stupid? Would anyone participate? Or would it be a way to connect families to each other and to us? #2PencilChat
A4 Passing along research on actual use by children, resources like parent-friendly web filters and tips from orgs like common sense media. I have to admit as a T, I've not done much of this. Have seen it as more of admin thing. #2PencilChat
A5. Kids need to know how to be responsible online. @CommonSense has some wonderful resources. So does @CommonSenseEd. I used them with my Ss and they loved it. #2PencilChat
A2 What matters to me? How does screen time help me do what matters to me? How does screen time get in the way of what matters to me? If we can answer these three questions, then we know whether our use of the screen is right for us.
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I have 5th graders who literally drool when they walk by the Chromebooks. It is easy for them to get off task even when I "grade" an assignment. I really know they can be creative, but they are pulled to the thrill of games and abuse their time #2pencilchat
A5: Help students become critical thinkers and discerning users of technology, with a focus on how to access and use information effectively and how to use technology to build up healthy, working/learning relationships/partnerships. #2PencilChat
YES!! I have tried that with my crew. They have to be guided or they get off topic. I don't think they realize sometimes that a device can be used as a tool. Not just for learning but collaboration and productivity #2pencilchat
A5.1 helping them to understand balance is important. How much is too much for them? Having open dialogue is key. Not being judgemental is also key. #2PencilChat
A5: I believe it is all in moderation. If you keep them busy with sports and extracurricular activities their won’t be much time left for screen time! #2PencilChat
YES YES YES PLEASE!
I realize I have an inordinate amount of interest in this compared to other parents. But get a parent who's into it and recruit them as a partner. I've thought about this -- such potential here. #2PencilChat
Is the idea of a school-hosted Twitter chat for families totally stupid? Would anyone participate? Or would it be a way to connect families to each other and to us? #2PencilChat
