My summer research looked at the connections between technology and a student’s sense of belongingness in public elementary education. Through a combination of school visits, literature reviews, and reflection on the purposes of early education, I was able to begin developing a framework to think seriously about how schools should use technology with young children.
Through my research I discovered expected and unexpected implications of the increased use of technology in schools for both students and teachers. Children are experiencing fewer one-on-one interactions with others, contributing to a lack of communication skills, social awareness, and mental health issues. Teachers must navigate these changes and adapt to them, making changes to their lesson plans and developing new teaching skills to align with the increase in technology. This is putting tremendous stress and pressure on the public school system, something that policymakers and politicians need to focus on and prioritize.
This research highlights the rising influence of technology on the education system and its pervasive impact on the well-being of students and teachers within it. The next step in this research will be to provide concrete strategies for teachers and school leaders, along with policy recommendations for policymakers and politicians.