Nate’s notes — by Nathan Waite — I think there’s a new scapegoat in town. The screen. If there is a problem, a new villain is here to shoulder the blame. The screen. This shady character has been spotted all over lately. In hands, restaurants, schools, homes, even cars. It’s pretty obvious that screens are the reason for most social problems. Or are they?I am not saying that the screen is an angel, but let’s take a closer look before we jump to conclusions. As we get ready to make the final call, let’s consider one fact, and what it means. News flash, screens are not alive. They don’t have brains, they don’t have magical powers over people, and you know what? They actually have some good traits. Problems come from the poor decisions of humans with this tool, not because of the tool itself. Consider just one of the arguments against screens.I hear it said, “Screens make kids antisocial.” No, screens actually encourage social behavior, but in a different way. Consider another perspective. Maybe a person just has more options for social interactions now. If someone has access to communicate with millions of different people on the planet, there is quite a bit more competition. The screen isn’t getting the attention, it is the person on the other end of the device, no matter where they are, that is presenting an interesting argument or conversation. Communication isn’t a location specific skill. Digital space is actually a very competitive place where there is a need to work to be relevant when communicating. How does this apply to education?Digital communication isn’t going to go away. A real skill that kids need is the skill to present themselves in a way that shows their talents and positive traits. Getting jobs, working with people around the globe, interacting with customers from all over all will require digital communication. Instead of ignoring this fact, we need to discuss with kids the need to leave a good digital image of themselves when they are online. In the past, people needed to have a logical and enlightened opinion to get it published somewhere in the public eye. Now, anyone can let opinions and expressions, whether enlightened or foolish, enter the public view in seconds. (See Facebook) Modern communication requires the habit of thinking, of analyzing what others say, and sorting between rumors, parrots who just repeat what others say, and those who present useful information. The verdict. The screen isn’t guilty of creating antisocial behavior. As in times past, people need to think before speaking, believing, or repeating. This isn’t a new need. Just a new location where the communication is happening.I could argue other accusations placed on the screen. ‘It makes people lazy.’ ‘It makes people waste time.’ ‘It is full of bad stuff.’ Right. But the verdict is the same. Screens don’t make anything happen. People do. It is the same idea as saying cars don’t crash themselves, people crash them because of misuse. Let’s teach kids to use screens to save time, and then provide active alternatives for free time. Let’s show kids positive resources that can help them create or develop any talent they want with unlimited access to worldwide experts. Let’s demonstrate by our own actions the way to control screens to our benefit, not the other way around. Learning in the world today is going to involve screens for adults and kids. That is not going to change. They are one of the tools of our time. Our job as adults is to be adults, to guide and help kids use these tools effectively because or our example, not by trying to eliminate them. The screen is a tool to magnify. It will magnify talents or faults, depending how it is used. Let’s help make sure kids in our community learn to use that tool to their advantage. Support local, independent news – contribute to The Fallon Post, your non-profit (501c3) online news source for all things Fallon. Never miss the local news — read more on The Fallon Post home page.
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