Using education’s “enemies” to your advantage

In a recent post, we discussed how young people are becoming increasingly distracted during study. While we’re often quick to blame smartphones (sometimes with good reason, according to some studies), there are other educational “enemies” lurking in the classroom and at home. Here’s how to use some of them to your advantage:

MOBILE PHONES

Research published by the UK Parliament last year suggests that mobile phones in schools not only impact educational progress, but also contribute to problems such as bullying. The constant need to be connected can be a significant obstacle to learning, both in and out of the classroom. But mobile phones might not be as much of an “enemy” as originally thought. In fact, evidence shows they can actually form part of an effective learning environment.

While this doesn’t mean that young people should be granted unlimited access to their mobiles during study time, there are productive ways to involve phones in class. Specially-designed apps and quizzes, taking photos of visual projects and using audio to record and replay important information, can all be hugely useful. The question remains, of course, as to how this activity can be monitored to ensure no external distractions. But it seems that there may be a place for occasional phone use in the learning space.

TUTORFAIR TIP: Set your student the task of using their phone to take five photos of your subject “in the real world” before your next lesson! What did they see and why did they think of your subject?

SOCIAL MEDIA

Arguably one of the trickiest topics in relation to education. Research estimates that children and teenagers in the UK spend an average of 127 minutes a day on apps such as TikTok. There are, however, some ways to use social media in the learning environment. Families and caregivers can be informed about news and developments within the school. For tutors, especially those working online, social media platforms can actually provide a backup plan for last-minute changes to the remote learning scenario. Students can search for examples of content related to what they are studying, and educators can share information and resources in real-time.

Social media use for learning still comes with many pitfalls and there are questions pertaining to the safety and security of using these platforms in class or study sessions. It is clear, however, that there is potential.

TUTORFAIR TIP: Find some TikTok or YouTube creators making content about your subject. If it relates to this week’s topic - even better! Analyse the videos with your student to see what they make of it.

GAMING

Much is reported about the negative effects of gaming on young people, with exposure to inappropriate content, social withdrawal and the threat of addiction being the most troubling. Despite these issues, it appears that video games do have a place in the learning environment and may not be as much of an obstacle to productivity as we think.

Gaming stimulates creative and critical thinking and encourages people to consider ideas from several angles. They can also be useful for logic and problem-solving. While it’s important to ensure that students are not simply playing a game in class, those games can be used as a tool or example for students to explain something they have learned.

TUTORFAIR TIP: Have your student build a historical/literary scene in Minecraft before your next lesson. What decisions did they make and why?

PROCRASTINATION AND BALANCING FREE TIME

All of the above could arguably fall under the theme of procrastination, but students also have to contend with other distractions, such as TV and other media, and balancing their hobbies with study, which can be tricky. Procrastination doesn’t have to be counterproductive, however.

Students can be advised on breaking down tasks into smaller, easily manageable chunks, allowing them time for regular breaks to indulge in a hobby. Helping students to visualise their goals (passing an exam, getting into college or university) and identifying smaller, more realistic goals can help them to include hobbies (even those which might be seen as counterproductive) in their learning schedules.

TUTORFAIR TOP TIP: Always think about breaking sessions down into small chunks and include breaks. This allows students to have a breather and gives you the opportunity to get to know them even better with some informal conversations about their interests!

NOT THE ENEMY?

However potentially distracting, it is possible to use education “enemies” to enhance and maximise study sessions. If you’re interested in tutoring and helping young people achieve their full potential, click here.