Ask Laura: My kid needs computer with wifi for homework; won't that be a distraction?
My kids tell me that they need to use a computer (with wifi!) to do their homework. How do I handle this? Won't it be a huge distraction? Laura fields this common question from a parent.
Posted — UpdatedMy kids tell me that they need to use a computer (with wifi!) to do their homework. How do I handle this? Won’t it be a huge distraction?
- 70 percent of teachers assign homework requiring access to broadband
- 65 percent of students used the Internet at home to complete their homework
Those numbers are assumed to be higher now: Computers are more affordable, more types of devices can connect to wifi, and broadband access has expanded. And it’s not, as far as research has found, a bad thing. More on that later.
We suggest a few things you can do at home, including understanding what your child can do on a computer that you may have assumed they can do only on their phone. And, depending on the age of your children, a smart move to make with the school.
Agree on routine standards for doing homework, if possible: Same place, same device settings, same time limits, same breaks, etc. Work together to create an ideal homework space, keeping in mind that if your child’s bedroom resembles a cockpit with numerous screens and blinking lights, that is not the ideal place. In fact, being out in the open with the rest of the family (kitchen table, dining room) may be ideal — some kids focus better when surrounded by others.
Create a tech-free spot too, since students still have some old-fashioned pen-and-paper assignments to complete.
When it comes to homework time, here are four tricks to do away with digital distractions:
- Consider using apps like Family Time or Circle With Disney to disable phone use during homework time.
- Have your child simply turn off iMessage to stop receiving texts from friends. She can then turn it back on once homework is done. Think your child can’t text without a cell phone? Think again. On a Mac, kids can use the iMessage app to send and receive texts.
- Segment homework time into blocks, like this: Turn off all messaging devices during a 30- minute study time. Then take a 10-minute break, during which he can check his messages, get a snack, whatever. (Use an old-fashioned kitchen timer.) Then it’s back to the homework for another 30 minutes.
- Use Find My iPhone (Apple) or Find My Phone (Android) to lock your child’s cell phone during homework time. It’s meant to be a safety feature in case you lose one of your devices, but it works for homework time, too.
If you have questions or feedback about how much screen time is actually required of your child, speak up and discuss it with the PTA, principal, assistant principal, or teacher during parent-teacher conferences. Ask roughly how much time your child be in front of a screen to complete a week’s worth of homework. Also, what websites should he be using predominantly? YouTube? Wikipedia? A website that allows class group discussion?
Also, many schools have an interface or learning management system in place, like Edmodo or Seesaw, that allows parents to view homework assignments and their own child’s progress. Become familiar with what your child’s school uses.
What’s most important is that we empower kids with the skills to focus their attention on their goals and priorities, whether they have a device in front of them or not. If we do that, we’ll equip them with a life skill.
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