Online Program

280991
School technology policies for meeting the academic and health needs of today's students


Monday, November 4, 2013

Theresa M. Enyeart Smith, PhD, CHES, Department of Health Sciences, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Maria T. Wessel, EdD, CHES, Department of Health Sciences, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
This presentation will present data on behavior, attitudes, consequences and school policies and recommendations on multitasking with regard to using technology.

As a result of our distracted driving simulation study, over one third (35.7%) of the 168 students in the study agreed or strongly agreed that they were good at multitasking while driving. After completing the simulation, fewer students were confident that they could multitask while driving (15.5% posttest and 23.2% final posttest).

Multitasking by using technology increases communication, aids different learning styles and can enhance creativity. However research shows that multitaskers are easily distracted, have memory disorganization and are worse at analytic reasoning. Using devices for multitasking may be creating people who can't think well or have the ability to solve complex problems. Health hazards may include consequences from sexting, cyberbullying, and accidents from inattention while walking, driving or other tasks.

Schools are concerned with student academic performance and safety. The NASBE report of December 2012 “Born in Another Time” provides a framework for the challenges schools face addressing the impact of rapid technological change affecting teaching and learning. School policies have been developed in a number of school districts regarding use of technology. Our survey of all state's Board of Education (2013) indicated that all states, District of Columbia and Guam provide a state model for district policies. The US Virgin Islands have a territory-wide policy. Key NASBE recommendations will be highlighted for use in meeting academic and health needs of today's students and developing appropriate school policies.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Define multitasking characteristics of today’s students related to use of technology. Identify advantages and disadvantages of multitasking and use of technology related to school performance and health risks. List examples of state and district school policies for use of technology. Discuss recommendations from the report of the NASBE Study Group on the Role of Technology in Schools and Communities “Born in Another Time”.

Keyword(s): School Health Educators, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have conducted research in the public health field for over 12 years and I have presented at APHA at least 6 times.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.