The Balance of Ethics and Always-Connected Gadgets
Kristin Murphy History and Pre-Law teacher, Nova Middle School in Davie
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teach the Nova Middle School pre-law program for seventh-grade students who want to participate in mock trials and are willing to handle rigor. As a lawyer teaching a law class, I try to mimic the real-world experience for the kids. As is true with the Florida Bar, I require that my students self-report any school incidences they have outside of my class. For example, if they receive a detention from another teacher, they have to self-report, in writing, in my class. This keeps kids honest and gives them the chance to reflect on their choices. As in the real world, too many self-reports lead to disbarment. Disbarment in my class equates to not being allowed to do mock trials, which the kids really enjoy, so it is an effective punishment. I have a large banner in the front of my classroom that reads, “Character is doing the right thing when no one is watching.” We need to teach our kids to be better people. Respect and honesty are two of the main ways we can do that. I tell students that one of the best things they can carry with them in life is good character. Teaching students about how to live ethically isn’t as easy as it used to be considering their access to the internet. I’m a technology junkie—for holidays, I always tell my husband I want the newest electronic gadget, not jewelry. Technology can be both good and bad in the classroom. It’s good because it allows teachers to use online games and activities to assess knowledge, and it allows students to work together on projects from home. When I was a kid, we didn’t have as many engaging activities in the classroom. Instead, we had regular lectures. Now, when done right, schools can utilize technology to excite more kids. On the other hand, technology costs money, and that money has to come from somewhere. More technology seems to come at the
We need to teach our kids to be better people. Respect and honesty are two of the main ways we can do that. I tell students that one of the best things they can carry with them in life is good character.
expense of tried-and-true programs like home economics, shop class, holiday celebrations, etc. This seems to be due to a lack of necessary funding. I know schools want to do more, but the funding just isn't there, and that’s sad for our kids. Times have changed even for parents. With online grade books, a diligent parent knows every grade the moment it is entered. Last year, I had a parent email me less than one minute after a grade was entered. Her child received an 89 percent on an assignment, and she wanted to know what he missed. Everything is instantaneous. Every parent has the opportunity to monitor their child’s progress in near real-time. That kind of access to grades is indicative of just how much things have changed for this generation, which will leave school with more tech skills than my generation did. They are taking app-building and computer literacy classes, they all know how to type, etc. On the other hand, they are leaving school with less social skills than my generation. As good as technology is, it is drawing kids into alternate realities where their only “friends” are online personas. In school, once they leave the classroom to go to lunch, for example, their phones are out, and their heads are down. Today’s generation will likely find some difficulty with interpersonal skills in the real world. With prior generations, if a kid wanted to know something, they asked a family member or a friend. Now there is less need for actual conversation because kids can simply ask Google, Siri, or Alexa. As a lover of all things technology, I recognize that, as tempting as it is to constantly pick up the phone or newest gadget, it is crucial that we also set time aside for actual face-to-face conversation. Many kids are lacking this very important skill. Kids miss real things happening in front of them because they’re always looking at these things through the lens of their phones. They record everything, missing opportunities to really take things in.
MARCH 2020
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