Digital Dependence: Technology’s Social, Psychological, and Behavioral Impacts on Student Learning

Graduate-Level Credit / Non-Credit Hours
3 Semester Credits or 45 Clock Hours

Course Description

This course is designed to explore the impact of technology, digital communication, and the ways children and adolescents socialize, learn, and are perceived in the classroom. Participants in this course will learn about the nature of digital devices and the pressure they place on K-12 students, and how they can impede the development of critical life skills such as empathy, conflict resolution, and resilience. The effective use of technology and media literacy will be investigated. This course prepares educators by engaging them in thoughtful dialogue and activities that promote 21st-century ideas and understanding of students’ diverse, digital, and global learning needs.  [1]  Educational research is based on the findings of Riin Seema, Ph.D., Ene Varik-Maasik, Ph.D., Daniele Giansanti, Ph.D., Olusola O. Adesope, Ph.D., and Patricia L. Maarhuis, Ph.D,[2]  and the research on artificial intelligence and its impact on student development is based on the findings of Ying Xu, Ph.D., Faith Rogow, Ph.D., Michael Ali, Ph.D., Ryan Nagelhout, Ph.D., Emily Weinstein, Ph.D., and Carrie James, Ph.D. Foundational work in this course will include research on understanding effective practices, student learning strategies, and classroom outcomes. Participants will synthesize these paradigms and develop a new understanding of educators’ roles in the classroom, along with the latest tools, methods, and techniques for cultivating students’ learning and a state-of-the-art teaching approach to meet their educational goals.

Global Outcomes/Goals of the Course

To deepen knowledge and/or apply the content and skills of the teacher’s existing professional knowledge base by meeting the following global goals of the course:

1. Analyze the impact that technology and digital communication have on how K-12 students socialize, learn, and are perceived in academic settings, considering both positive opportunities and potential developmental risks.
2. Identify and understand the pressures placed on students by digital devices, including how these pressures may impede life skill development such as empathy, conflict resolution, and resilience.
3. Develop and apply strategies for the effective use of technology in the classroom, with a focus on media literacy, critical thinking, and responsible digital citizenship in students.
4. Critically evaluate how technology can be used to support 21st-century learning skills and address the diverse digital and global needs of students.
5. Engage educators in dialogue and activities that promote reflective practice— helping them anticipate challenges and thoughtfully integrate technology to promote student well-being and academic success.
6. To synthesize best practices and goals, ensuring that educators not only understand the broad landscape of educational technology but also develop the ability to balance digital opportunities with the promotion of essential human and social skills.

• Self-Paced 0
• Structured 0
• Site Based 0
• Interactive 3