Читать книгу The Movement and Technology Balance - Traci Lengel - Страница 52

Technology has been labeled as harmful to the development of social skills for obvious reasons: Students are texting instead of talking, and social media websites cannot compare to face-to-face communication. However, the benefits that digital resources have brought to social skills (in and out of school settings) should also not be ignored. Now, students can stay connected to anyone, any time, in any location, broadening the concept of community relations. That’s a pretty powerful benefit. Social media platforms provide students who feel socially awkward with a place to fit in and perhaps excel. Written communication can take away from the stresses that eye contact and verbal communication sometimes bring. In a sense, technology can be used to expand communication skills and build learner comfort, which is a notable benefit and can increase academic success.

How does technology affect a sense of community in a classroom setting? This will depend on the teacher. Digital resources can and should be used to build a community atmosphere. In order for this to occur, technological applications, consumptions, and deliveries cannot always take place with students working in isolation. Teachers must allow students to work together with partners or teams to magnify the advantages that technology provides. Combing class or whole-group projects with technology is also an effective strategy that can be used to strengthen a community connection. In Chapter 8, tech community connectors will be explored. Utilizing technology through interactive means is a strong approach for creating a cohesive community in any and all learning environments.