Educational Technology Research

Source

Why Do We Look at Research in Education? 

Many people avoid research because it seems too confusing or difficult. However, if we don't use research, then we don't expand our knowledge or engage in critical thinking. At times, research can be used to challenge ourselves, as it can raise questions we weren't aware of asking. In education, research is important for improving practices, systematic analysis of topics, and develop new understandings related to teaching and learning. 

Even as a nutrition professional, I have to look at research often. Keeping up with the research helps me give the best nutrition advice. It also helps me defend or argue conflicting information in the media about nutrition (and there's a lot!). If you're interested in nutrition research, here's a link from the University of Virginia that I visit often! 

Common Sense Media
Media Use by Children Ages zero to eight
As many of us know, children are starting to use tablets and phones at a younger age now. The amount of children who use these technologies have increased exponentially. Below is the percentages of homes with mobile devices that have 0-8 year olds. Is this surprising to you? I have to say, I'm not really shocked by these results.

Research article

Here are just a few things this study found:

Article

1. Mobile media have become a nearly universal part of the children’s media landscape, across all levels of society.
2. The average amount of time spent with mobile devices each day has tripled (again), going from 5 minutes a day in 2011 to 15 minutes a day in 2013 to 48 minutes a day in 2017.
3. Contrary to recommendations from pediatricians, many children use media shortly before bedtime, and many families leave the TV on in the background most of the time. (Who else is guilty of this?!)
4. Children from lower-income homes spend an average of 1:39 more time with screen media each day than those from higher-income homes (3:29 vs. 1:50). Children from homes with lower parent education consume more screen media than children from homes with higher parent education (2:50 vs. 1:37; a 1:13 difference).
5. The amount of time children spend reading each day has held steady since 2011, but many children under 2 are not read to regularly.

See the rest of the findings here.

I believe tablets and technology have their place in education when used properly but some of the findings from above are created from bad habits and abuse of technology. I'm not really surprise by some of these findings but I have to be honest, I was the most shocked at #5. As an aunt, I do see my nephews that love to read books but they love their tablet more (ha)! Which finding are you most shocked about?