Persuasive Social Learning

ring it as a valuable learning tool. When you have a tool as useful and speedy as a smartphone or tablet at hand, many of us would be tempted to take a moment and peek at sports scores, the latest headlines, or the number of likes we’ve accumulated on our latest Facebook or Instagram posts. And of course, students are not immune to these temptations. Texts from friends, tweets from celebrities, the latest online game, and a plethora of other tools and apps all have the potential to distract them from your classroom activities. What is clear is that if such use is permitted, there should be guidelines and rules in place. Students should be taught online safety, the use of judgment in determining good quality sources of information, and restraint

This is the search-and-learn environment kids are involved in today. Now, when they want to know certain things they are only a search away from learning. This also gives students the ability to get an answer to a question they may feel uncomfortable asking in class. If a teacher uses a term they don’t understand, they can find the answer discretely, and without interrupting the class. Another argument made by this group would be that social learning is a great way for students to share information, thoughts and ideas on a subject. Students who may be quiet or shy in a classroom, may blossom and flourish when planted in a social learning situation made possible by digital devices. Electronic devices in the classroom can enhance the learning experience by providing instant video access. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, man’s first step on the moon, and presidential speeches are made more real and easier to digest in the form of instant video availability. Something else that is usually talked about is the fact that many children will mainly be exposed to the interests of their parents. With Internet access, children can be exposed to a world of creative ideas outside of their bubble. They can learn another language, or teach themselves how to draw, knit, or play chess. They have access to an endless array of options available, not just to help them learn, but to gain skills

There are also those who believe too much time with digital devices has caused students to become disconnected from face-to-face social activities, family communications and nature. Therefore, believing that digital devices in the classroom would probably lead to an even greater disconnection. There are concerns from the EPA about long-term exposure to wireless devices and computer screens. While there is no direct evidence of harmful effects, the EPA would discourage too much exposure for students who have video screens in front of their faces or computers in their laps. If students frequently use these devices at home, additional exposure at school could be viewed as harmful. While schools can limit the availability of websites that can be viewed on their network, students may find links that slipped through the system. There will also be times that students will not be accessing the Internet through a monitored network. Child predators are a problem everywhere. Using digital devices at school creates just that much more exposure and potential danger for students. In addition, cyber bullying is also an increasing issue. Permitting use of digital devices in the classroom could potentially lead to more of