Today kids learn how to use an iPad or computer very early in life. It’s something they use everyday and something they can’t seem to get away from in our technology oriented world.
For three days the students at Manor School, however, including parents and teachers, took a break from texting, social media, video gaming, and other activities associated with technology in the school’s first Forester’s Tech Timeout Academic Challenge.
Though the Timeout lasted for three days, May 27 – 29, students were prepared on Monday, May 25, for the event with a video from Gladmar who participated in the program last year.
“The goal of this social experiment is not to demonize technology, but rather to help students take a step back and gain some perspective on their media habits, allowing them to create personal goals and balance in their future media use,” Kathyrn Hunt explained. “This social experiment also allowed skills to resurface such as; planning ahead, face-to-face interaction, attending to activities and schoolwork that had been neglected or forgotten. Participation in the challenge is optional, rather than mandatory. It’s about the experience, positive or negative.”
Open for students from Kindergarten to grade 12 to participate, the school had 34 out of 80 students participate. This included many from younger grades giving up their iPads, iPods, and cell phones as well as a few from the older grades as well.
Additionally about half the staff at the school participated and it didn’t stop there as parents also took to the challenge.
With 34 participants making it through, six prize winners were drawn including students Rayanne Poirier, Toree Knockaert, Dathan Beaudet, Ross Brimner, Kara Brimner, and parent, Val Cuddington.
Everyone was thanked for their participation in the Tech Timeout, which was difficult for some while others barely noticed, busy with other activities.
