Join me this week on the podcast as I delve into a conversation with Colin Roe, a middle school technology and Bible teacher at Faith Christian School. Colin shares insights into the challenges of technology in education and emphasizes the importance of using it to build relationships with students, and he and I explore topics such as digital citizenship, the impact of technology on students' well-being, and the need for positive interactions face to face. Colin also discusses practical ways he leverages technology, like the...
Join me this week on the podcast as I delve into a conversation with Colin Roe, a middle school technology and Bible teacher at Faith Christian School. Colin shares insights into the challenges of technology in education and emphasizes the importance of using it to build relationships with students, and he and I explore topics such as digital citizenship, the impact of technology on students' well-being, and the need for positive interactions face to face. Colin also discusses practical ways he leverages technology, like the use of Quizlet and Menti, to enhance learning experiences for his students. As we navigate the complexities of technology in education, Colin's perspective offers a balance between caution and hope, grounded in a desire to make teaching more human.
During our conversation, we also address the pervasive issue of students' heavy reliance on technology such as smartphones, sharing alarming statistics that highlight the negative impact of excessive screen time on mental health. Colin also sheds light on the rise of narcissism in young children due to the lack of face-to-face interactions caused by parents' phone use during critical developmental years.
Despite such challenges, however, Colin provides valuable advice to educators, encouraging them to prioritize positive, face-to-face interactions with students to foster a sense of care and connection. Join us on this episode as we explore the dynamic intersection of technology and humanity in education!
To learn more, order Jon's book, Just Teaching: Feedback, Engagement, and Well-Being for Each Student.
The Just Schools Podcast is brought to you by the Baylor Center for School Leadership. Each week, we'll talk to catalytic educators who are doing amazing work.
Be encouraged.
Timestamps:
[0:37] - Today’s guest is middle school Technology and Bible teacher Colin Roe.
[1:42] - Colin shares some background information about himself with us.
[3:31] - Digital citizenship educates students on responsible technology use, fostering positive relationships and countering loneliness.
[6:07] - I emphasize enhancing, not replacing, interpersonal connections, aiming to counter students' worth tied to online metrics.
[7:24] - Colin fosters meaningful interaction by eliminating cell phones in school, encouraging diverse discussions and promoting genuine connections during events.
[10:10] - Colin underscores the effects of excessive phone use on students' mental well-being.
[12:14] - I advocate for reframing phone use as an addition, not a subtraction, in education.
[14:49] - It's important for adults to model healthy technology behavior for children.
[16:13] - Colin highlights a study showing a rise in narcissism in young children due to parental phone use.
[17:46] - Hear how Colin uses technology to communicate with his team, provide feedback, and connect with students.
[19:20] - Colin identifies his favorite education technology to be Quizlet.
[20:35] - I highlight the challenge of academic integrity in an age of ever evolving technology.
[22:38] - What does Colin like about Menti?
[24:32] - Colin emphasizes the important role of face-to-face positive interactions with students.
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