As a parent of school aged children myself, I share a common history with many Queenwood parents. Like most of you, I experienced my school years in the 1990s and 2000s, a period often referred to as the ‘Age of the Internet.’ This era marked a pivotal transformation in how we accessed and interacted with information, leading to the technological advancements that shape our lives today. Phrases like ‘Surfing the Net’, ‘World Wide Web’ or websites like ‘Ask Jeeves’, ‘Mapquest’ or ‘MySpace’ might evoke a sense of nostalgia for many readers of this newsletter. For others, these terms might require a Google search or an entry into their favourite AI tool.
The internet was once a burgeoning phenomenon. It introduced us to the vast possibilities of instant communication, global connectivity and a new realm of learning resources. The release of the first iPhone in 2007 with its touchscreen interface and access to the internet and the unveiling of the ‘like button’ on Facebook were other significant turning points in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. These innovations laid were both a promise and a potential problem for our children, and us as parents and educators.
While many of these technologies are integral or necessary in our daily lives, they undoubtedly have their disadvantages.
Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, highlights that the excessive use of smartphones and social media have doubled depression, anxiety, suicide, and self-harm rates among young people by replacing traditional play. Haidt’s research has informed our policy at Queenwood, where students must place their mobile phones in their lockers or give them to their class teachers at the start of the day. Queenwood has maintained a longstanding belief that restricting mobile phone usage during school hours fosters an environment where teachers and students can concentrate on teaching and learning without interruptions.
Banning mobile phones alone will not solve this issue. Dr. Kristy Goodwin, an expert in digital wellbeing, highlights that girls lack fully developed prefrontal lobes for judgment and discernment. Parents are encouraged to establish digital boundaries for their daughters, similar to the policies and guidelines at Queenwood, to mitigate online risks such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and privacy breaches.
It is not all doom and gloom. There are certainly concerns we should have, however, there are exciting developments in technology that have the potential to greatly benefit humankind. We are in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing and other emerging technologies. This revolution is affecting industries, society, education and our interactions with the world around us. Queenwood aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to excel and lead in diverse fields, fostering innovation and creativity for the greater good.
The meteoric rise of Generative AI has prompted educators and policy makers to consider how to responsibly address the challenges and opportunities presented by this technology. The impending arrival of Artificial General Intelligence will greatly impact education once more and other industries, potentially more so than the evolution of the internet.
Opportunities to explore and discuss these emerging technologies is vital for our girls so they are prepared to take on the world after Queenwood. We must explore and have meaningful discussions on questions like:
- How will education effectively balance the teaching of foundational skills with more complex skill sets, ensuring that one does not compromise the other?
- What are the best strategies for integrating the teaching of specific skills with broader competencies such as metacognition, adaptability and critical thinking to support lifelong learning?
Queenwood girls should not just be consumers of technology but creators. Students will shortly have opportunities to participate in a range of events and competitions that allow just that. These include the Day of AI and the AI Innovator Challenge - ISTE.