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THEducational Technology is problematic in many ways. Let me highlight a few:
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 #𝟭: The use of EdTech products is a threat to student privacy. Internet Safety Labs found that 98% of EdTech tools sell data about users to third parties, and that data includes behavior records, mental health evaluations, personal family information, and much more. Though these harms are significant, they aren't often visible. That doesn't make them less serious.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 #𝟮: Technology can be a tool. But EdTech products displace the skills that children actually need to thrive, like critical thinking. This is why we need to differentiate between EdTech and "Tech Ed." Children need technology education-- to learn skills like identifying mis-information or knowing what an algorithm is, for example. That is not the same thing as giving five-year-olds iPads on which to learn to read. TechEd is not EdTech.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 #𝟯: EdTech products do not improve learning outcomes and they decrease focus and attention. That alone should be a reason worth reevaluating their use. While some experts and leaders are starting to take note of this, we cannot stop here.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, EdTech products harm teachers and threaten teaching. The EdTech industry makes no secret of wanting to move teachers from "sage on the stage" to "guide on the side," as evidenced by their marketing language about using EdTech to address "large class sizes and relieve teacher burnout" (but not to reduce class sizes or find other ways to help teachers.) Additionally, as data breaches become more common, teachers' private information is also vulnerable to exposure.
Technology has a role to play in education. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮.
For more, please download my Four Norms of EdTech from my website.
#reels #parenting #edtech #educators #technology #pta #optout #unplugedtech #screentimeconsultant #screentimesolution
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