What does Impacts of Computing mean?

I am already teaching about the impacts of computing as I emphasize the human experience that coincides with the global impact of tech. My students study things like society, ethics, accessibility, and career paths through the various inquiry based and project based learning assignments we do. What can you do moving forward? I can try to make sure my work is student centered and focuses on how technology can positively impact our lives and use it as a tool in the classroom now to better serve them in their future as digital citizens of the new world we will live in. 

Our students face this impact every day. Through social media, research, and general TEAMS/Zoom. We now have FB group pages for school and other clubs. There are even closed groups that students use for Snapchat or Instagram to connect. Many are even taking college courses, So, it is difficult to monitor all the feeds. But, we as a district try to teach the students to use these forms correctly. 

There are many advantages to a computing world- efficiency, commonality, organization, shared information which is easily accessed.

There are also many disadvantages as well- the lack of face-to face interactions, conversations, and tactile experiences, for example.

I have done a lot with picture books and the impacts of computing with my K-2 students.  We just read a book called Old MacDonald Had a Phone and it talked a lot about the importance of not using your phone all the time because you stop talking to friends and being productive (like laying eggs and making milk.)  There are many great early literacy books out there on this subject to help kids realize they have to have a balance.  For my older kids, we have talked a lot about how technology can be helpful and harmful.  Being careful on social media is a huge concept for them.  We have also talked about altered pictures and videos vs. unaltered pictures and videos, and why someone might alter them.  

I am already trying to incorporate the impacts of computing into my student interactions, as well as prepare students for the future.  It is important that students understand both the positive and negative impacts of technology on the world, as well as on them as individuals.  I try to plan lessons which include technological elements and activities to expose them to the benefits of technology.  For example, how typing can be more efficient and better looking than handwritten projects, or how 3D printing devices can be more useful and more accurate than building them by hand.  They can also expand their imagination and creativity with different designs and ways to complete a project.  However, I am also careful to make sure they know that technology has some harmful effects as well.  We spend a lot of time talking about the impacts of social media on kids.  We also talk about using AI (a colleague of mine already had a kid try to turn in a paper written by AI) and how important integrity is when turning in work product.  Technology is great, but there is a human cost. 

I am already teaching about the impacts of computing to students. I highlight the ways in which technology has changed our world, both positively and negatively, and how it impacts individuals, communities, and societies. I'm also emphasizing the ethical and social implications of technological innovations, such as unintended consequences and the need to consider the wants, needs, and perspectives of diverse users of technology.  

Moving forward, I can continue to build on this foundation by integrating more examples and real-world scenarios that illustrate the impacts of computing on society. I can incorporate case studies and discussion topics that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving, helping students to understand the complexity of the ethical and social issues that arise from the use of technology. By doing so, students can develop a better understanding of the relationship between computing and society, and how they can play a role in shaping its impact.