I am a parent of two people and teach in a university. I read the letter from Dr. Robert Harrison (April 14) with skepticism. He writes with eloquence students using technology “healthy, useful and improved by life”. It seems charming, but very far from the reality we are experiencing.
The school of my five -year -old child provided parents no less than five technological platforms where we interact with the school; This does not include the many parents Whatsapp groups. Each swimming lesson, scout troops and karate lessons require a new online platform. My son obviously does not use these platforms, but I see myself swearing on my phone every time I try to connect to one because I do not remember so many passwords.
My graduate students also interact with several educational platforms whenever they have to do something simple like following a reading list or find a newspaper article. When one of these platforms is modified or adapted (which often occurs), all teaching staff, including administrators, spend months learning to use the new system and request the patience of students while we sail.
I am to the point where I open an educational technological platform, I can feel my brain melt. Schools I cannot teach a “balanced and nuanced approach” of technology when teachers and parents are so suspected by screens. I suggest returning to previous technology: the book.
Dr. Susan MacDougall
Departmental speaker in social anthropology, University of Oxford