Read on for details on assessing and modifying your family's tech plan. Plus, retro to-do lists and the importance of handwriting.
By Kari Luecke, MS Educational Technologist
"So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s a great balancing act." - Dr. Seuss
As the influx of our reliance on technology for work and school continues to embed itself in our social lifelines, revisiting our tech dependence and its tradeoffs can greatly impact the quality of our family lives.
Consider a weekly evaluation of your family’s technology plan. Perhaps you redefine digital workspaces one week, or sit down together to play an e-game (to gather the latest “intel”) as a family the next.
Take ownership of the technology happening under your roof. Let’s face it, we’ll never know it all, but our presence, interest in, and willingness to modify as often as necessary alludes a united front, which prioritizes family trust, overall health, and digital wellness.
When assessing your family tech or reaching for your device, consider:
What’s the non-tech way of doing this? Think non-app — could I easily have this conversation in person?
How does this app make me feel? Consider physical sensations like heart rate, breathing, sweaty palms, etc.
How can I use what I’m consuming as an inspiration to create something of my own as opposed to endlessly scrolling for an occasional emotional award?
Is my time management plan or strategy working for me and my family?
How is this app or service trying to keep me as a user?
Check out other ways to take control from the Center for Humane Technology.
Allison Van Konynenburg returns to USN as Interim HS Dean of Teaching and Learning. Taking on additional responsibilities this academic year, Justin Fitzpatrick is now Interim HS Dean for Academic Affairs and Laura Snow is the High School Academic Operations Manager.
Please join us in welcoming to USN: LS Spanish Teacher Connor Mitchell, LS Music Teacher Marisa Frank, LS Learning Support Specialist MacKenzie Grant, Fourth Grade Teacher Alexis Novotny, Second Grade Teachers Cara Bishop and Lindsay Moates, First Grade Teachers Marisa Depke and Molly Roth '10, and Kindergarten Teacher Ellen Haber '00. Also, Naturalist Carrie Riley transitions to LS from the HS Science Department.
USN Mission: University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.