Effect of Technologies on Childrens Creativity - Term Paper Example

Effect of Technology on Children’s Creativity s 15th April, Does technology affect children creativity? Technology confine children to the creative level of developers of the technology It hinders children from interacting with environmental stimuli that promote creativity Appropriate technology provides children with scenarios that promote creativity I. Introduction a. Impact of technology on children b. Technology limit children’s interaction with environmental stimuli that promote creativity and it further confine the creative ability of children to the technology they use but there are appropriate technologies that provide children with scenarios that promote creativity. II. Body a) Technology confines children to creative level of developers of technology i. Children perceive what is demonstrated in the technology applies in real life ii. The rely on the problem solving skills demonstrated by the technology b) Hinders children from interacting with environmental stimuli that promote creativity i. Children spend too much time indoors playing with computer games ii. Children rarely interact with each other on a constructive level at the playing field c) Appropriate technology provides children with scenarios that promote creativity i. Appropriate technologies i.e. learning software are able to simulate creativity among children iii. Appropriate technologies i.e. interactive computer games enable children to develop problem solving and thereby become creative III. Conclusion a. Restate of the thesis statement: various forms of technology bombard children with unfiltered streams of information, which has both positive and negative implications on their physical and psychological development b. Closing: To mitigate detrimental effects of technology on child creativity, children should be exposed to ‘appropriate technology’ Introduction In the 21st century, our daily lives are immensely shaped by the nature and form of technology that is exposed to us. Our thinking, behavior, and understanding is astonishingly subject to current technologies such as the internet, three dimensional visualization, and instant messaging. Calvert and Wilson (2011) observed that technology has both positive and negative implications on developing minds. One of the key effects of technology on children was its detrimental effect on creativity. Despite far reaching positive implication of technology on child development, there are research studies, which have attributed it to decreased creativity among children (Calvert & Wilson, 2011). Technology limit children’s interaction with environmental stimuli that promote creativity and it further confine the creative ability of children to the technology they use but there are appropriate technologies that provide children with scenarios that promote creativity. Technology and child development Children are increasingly finding it interesting to play technology-oriented games as opposed to playing with each other. Calvert and Wilson (2011) argued that these games have the effect of limiting challenges that should be encouraged in developing creative minds (p. 60). In addition to limiting their creativity, majority of children remain indoors hence decreased physical exercise. According to Davies (2010), inactive bodies experience random sensory stimulations that could result to delays in attainment of fundamental creative capabilities in developing minds. Consequently, advancement of technology has detrimental effects on children’s developing sensory and motor systems. In normal circumstances, sufficient development of physical and psychological capabilities of children is primarily enhanced with sensory stimuli of movement, touch, and connections. The elimination of these stimuli at early development stage is likely to hinder children’s psychological development. Davies (2010) elaborated that for sufficient sensory stimuli, children require three to four hours per day of vigorous physical play, which enables optimum stimulation of children’s vestibular, propriocaptive and the tactile body systems for healthy growth and therefore, playing computer games while seated does not accord children this optimum stimulation. In addition, technology has resulted to under stimulation of the necessary sensory system for normal psychological development. However, research by Hutchby and Moran-Ellis (2013) indicated that the same technology could be attributed to over performance of auditory and visual sensory systems. Appropriate technology Assessment of conventional technology with reference to its effect on child development calls for adoption of an alternative technology, which is the concept of ‘appropriate technology’. The entire technology is not detrimental to child development; in addition, a given form of technology may inherently exhibit both positive and negative implications on development of children creativity. Referring to writings by Dummett (2013), appropriate technology refers to technology, which accounts for environmental, ethical, and cultural consideration. Children should thus be exposed to ‘appropriate technology.’ ‘Appropriate technology’ by its definition will enhance development of creativity through the maintenance of positive culture and further necessitate sustainable learning among children. An ‘appropriate technology’ should primarily focus on development of children’s health by facilitating ample child play, connect children with their intermediate family members, and promote physical exercise. ‘Appropriate technology’ highly emphasizes the needs of the children and goes further to offer solutions as opposed to assimilation of children’s behavior to conform to its technological trends (Hutchby & Moran-Ellis, 2013). However, Dummett (2013) argued that such framework lacked guarantee of adoption by members of the public. Having been accustomed to hype and fun technology, parents and children may view ‘appropriate technology’ as boring and outdated undertaking. This may lead to neutralization of gains, which had been achieved by implementation of ‘appropriate technology.’ Conclusion Children are exposed everyday to myriad of technological innovation at home and at school. Consequently, various forms of technology bombard children with unfiltered streams of information, which has both positive and negative implications on their physical and psychological development. Technology has the potential of hindering or promoting creativity abilities among children. Uncontrolled exposure to various forms of technology has resulted to significant reduction of children’s creativity. Traditional games have been replaced with technology-oriented games, which are sedentary and keep children indoors. Modern children are engaged in activities, which do not prompt creative thinking due to automation of major tasks. Furthermore, technology has led to loss of connection, prompted by children’s obsession with their personal computers, phones, and laptops. To mitigate detrimental effects of technology on child creativity, children should be exposed to ‘appropriate technology’. Through application, appropriate technology, social, ethical and cultural aspects relating to children will be put into perspective and considered in the decision making process. Appropriate technology aims at ensuring psychological development of children and participation of children in physical exercising tasks. The technology will also lead to establishment of connections between children parents and their friends. References Calvert, L., &Wilson J. (2011). The handbook of children, media, and development. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. Davies, M. (2010). Children, media and culture. Maidenhead, NY: Open University Press. Dummett, P. (2013). Upper intermediate workbook. Smart technology. United Kingdom: National Geographic Learning. Hutchby, I., & Moran-Ellis, J. (2013). Children. Technology and culture: The impacts of technologies in childrens everyday lives. London, UK: Routledge Publishers. Read More