S7E161: Technology, Digital Learning and The Impacts

Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids

The Impacts of Technology on Learning

The world of learning today looks a lot different from the learning world that I grew up in.

When my kids were younger they loved the story I told of a memorable day in my first grade class when my teacher rolled a large machine into our classroom. As we sat there in silence, she announced that the contraption she had brought in was called a.... computer! And the entire class would get a chance to use it. You can imagine our excitement. The computer produced questions on the screen and we each took turns typing the answers. It was the first and only time we had access to a computer that year and for years to come. By the time I was in junior high school we had computer labs and classes using computers. By high school I even ventured to take a rudimentary programming class.

Fast forward to today and my home educated children can travel to countries they are interested in visiting via Virtual Reality.

They can take a University level class from an Ivy League school from the couch, for free.

They can get help refining their resume through a chat generative pre-trained transformer.

They can learn a new skill or technique for an infinite number of things via YouTube.

They have access to the world at their finger tips.

Technology has brought major shifts in learning.

Should we be excited about what the future holds for our learners?

Will homeschoolers and unschoolers have more access to opportunities previously held by education gatekeepers?

Do our technological tools bring dangers that we should be wary of?

How can we best support and protect our children from pitfalls? Or do we need to?

How can we create and foster educational programs and environments that will prepare our children for the future?

In This Episode- Technology, Digital Learning and Impacts on Learners

In this episode I spoke with Josh Davidson. Josh is a dad and founder of an award winning online learning program, Night Zookeeper. As the Managing Director of a digital platform that services families and in particular kids under the age of 12, I wanted to hear his insight on the influence of technology and digital learning on education, the job market and the future.

Technology has brought major shifts in learning. We explored a few of those shifts and shared our ideas on the good and bad.

Should we be excited about what the future holds for our learners?

Do our technological tools bring dangers that we should be wary of?

How can we best support or protect our children from dangers? Or do we need to?

How can we create and foster educational programs and environments that will prepare our children for the future?

What impacts will technology and Artificial Intelligence have on the job market?

I enjoyed Josh's viewpoint on technology and how it is shaping our future. His perspective is uplifting and pragmatic. He offers a good reminder that we are all really seeking solutions to problems. And as much as sometimes we may be drawn to worry about the bad, there is still a lot of good that we are contributing to the world.

Resources

Josh Davidson is the Founder and Managing Director of Night Zookeeper, the award-winning online language arts program designed to make learning fantastically fun for children ages 6-12. With a dedication to improving online education over the past 12 years, Josh has brought enthusiasm and passion to the field of education, offering an exciting learning experience beyond the confines of traditional classrooms.

Josh's pioneering spirit emerged during his MA in Digital Art, making him one of the trailblazers in the United Kingdom for this field of study. Leveraging his creative expertise, he has elevated online learning to new heights through Night Zookeeper. Every aspect of this innovative program reflects his commitment to fostering children's creativity, encouraging them to unleash their imagination by designing their own imaginative animals within an interactive world that ignites a love for reading and writing.

At the forefront of innovation and growth, Josh and the Night Zookeeper team have continuously pushed the boundaries of online education. Embracing the ever-evolving landscape of technology, they have seamlessly integrated cutting-edge solutions to keep up with the dynamic trends shaping the thriving world of technology and education. As a result, Night Zookeeper has emerged as a pioneer in its field, providing adaptable solutions that redefine the learning experience for children worldwide and encourages children to have fun whilst learning.

If you would like to learn more about the platform and program, go HERE. Josh referenced author Daniel Pink. https://www.danpink.com/I referenced Dr. Peter Gray and his work on the importance of kids playing modern day tools mentioned in his book Free To Learn.

Thank You To Our Sponsor

Sponsor support allows me to continue to create this podcast and allow it to be easily accessible for you.

This episode was brought to you by MEL Science.

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