Real World or Virtual Reality?

The children of today have grown into a world that is full of technology. They were born in a

world where tablets, phones and laptops were all ordinary things (Iivari, Kinnula, Molin-Juustila & Kuure, 2018). Many parents worry that this increase in technology will lead their children to have a disconnect from the real world as well as the environment. Theres is an obvious difference between how objects and characters appear online versus how they look and behave in real life (Courage & Troseth, 2016). When children are using just applications to learn it is less likely that they will refrain the information. It is easier for children to learn via personal interaction, such as actions and words (Courage & Troseth, 2016). As many fear that technology will take over many things, we need to understand that it can also be used to enhance ideas. Technology should not replace the hands-on activities children do at home or in the classroom. Instead, it should enhance these activities and be used as another tool to further the children's learning (Shifflet & Toledo & Mattoon, 2012). Technology can easily be a distraction to many children causing them to have a disconnect from the real world and real life experiences. However, it is just as easy to use this same technology that we feel is taking over in a positive way. Technology can be used as assistance to children’s learning (Eagle, 2012). There are many ways technology can aid children’s learning. However, what worries most parents and educators is if the children are able to tell the difference between online and what it really is in real life (Courage & Troseth, 2016). Digital technology can be used in multiple ways and if used correctly it will reinforce real-life experiences and help children connect what they see online to the real world (Shifflet, Toledo & Mattoon, 2012). Children today learned how to use technology as toddlers, this is the technology which they will continue using throughout their adult years (Iivari, Kinnula, Molin-Juustila & Kuure, 2018). As much as we believe that technology causes a disconnect between children and the real world. We forget that it also encourages them to engage in real life activities (Shifflet & Toledo & Matton, 2012). There will always be the need for parents and educators to help the children understand the connection of how the things they are learning on the screen relates to real life (Courage & Trosesth, 2016).