Regret over the pace and extent of screens and digital tools is sweeping across many schools and families in the U.S. It’s a stark change from the rush to digital that occurred only a handful of years ago, and it’s triggering new restrictions. Several of EdSurge’s top articles last month tracked this growing sentiment and the new legislation developing from it.
Still, my own article pointed toward a subtle clash with this growing skepticism: Even while families and educators are trying to limit the reach of screens — and are doubting edtech generally — districts are still tapping artificial intelligence-enabled tools for sensitive interactions with students. My piece focused on Putnam County, Florida, in which an overworked middle school counselor is using the technology to vet student mental health.
A small confirmation comes from EdSurge’s fastest-growing education jobs breakdown, which reveals that federal predictions show that substitute teachers, health workers and tech experts — not classroom teachers — are the quickest growing public education jobs.
— Daniel Mollenkamp, reporter
- When a Box Is No Longer a Castle: Restoring Wonder in a Screen-Filled World
In a world dominated by screens providing every kind of amusement, children need more guidance firing up their imaginations. Their natural sense of wonder will bubble up with some gentle nudging, writes early childhood educator Hema Khatri in this essay for EdSurge, in which she draws on her experience with 4-year-olds to suggest ways to get kids’ creative juices flowing.
- Which Education Jobs Are Growing the Fastest? Mostly Non-Classroom Roles.
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that most of the education jobs that will see the most growth over roughly a decade are largely nonteaching positions, reports EdSurge’s data reporter Nadia Tamez-Robledo.
- Screen-Free Schools? Some Legislators Push for a New Normal
Amid the rise — and rising concerns — of edtech, parents are looking more critically at their children’s use of screens and consumption of digital content. After a swell of phone bans in the classroom, some leaders are looking to take it one step further, reports Lauren Coffey.
- Why Not Ask Why: 'Digital Delusion' Author Urges Educators to Rethink Technology’s Reach
In his new book, “The Digital Delusion,” neuroscientist and education consultant Jared Cooney Horvath argues, backed by his own and others’ research, that technology in schools has interfered with children’s cognitive development and stalled learning. He encourages reclaiming education “as a deeply human endeavor.” Read more about his thoughts on brain development and learning in his recent interview with EdSurge editor Mary-Liz Shaw.
Finally, the most popular EdSurge article last month was:
- With Teens Comfortable Confiding in AI, Should Schools Embrace It for Mental Health Care?
Resource-strapped schools, especially in rural areas, are tapping AI-enabled platforms to assist with student mental health. Some say the students are more comfortable bringing their problems to AI instead of humans. So, in an article copublished with The Guardian, reporter Daniel Mollenkamp asked why, and what does that mean?
.png?width=400&upscale=true&name=logo_edtech-teacher-cert_stacked%20(1).png){kind=logo}
