The Tech Edvocate

Top Menu

  • Advertisement
  • Apps
  • Home Page
  • Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
  • Home Page Four
  • Home Page Three
  • Home Page Two
  • Home Tech2
  • Icons [No Sidebar]
  • Left Sidbear Page
  • My Account
  • My Speaking Page
  • Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
  • Newsletter Unsubscription
  • Our Brands
  • Page Example
  • Protected Content
  • Register
  • Request a Product Review
  • Shop
  • Shortcodes Examples
  • Signup
  • Start Here
    • Governance
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • The Edvocate
  • Topics
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise

Main Menu

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
    • Books
    • Edupedia
    • The Edvocate Podcast
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
    • Request a Product Review
  • Apps
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • Pedagogue

logo

The Tech Edvocate

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
        • My Speaking Page
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
    • Books
    • Edupedia
    • The Edvocate Podcast
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
    • Request a Product Review
  • Apps
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • The Brain Science Behind Immersive Learning

  • How To Create An Immersive Learning Environment

  • Prepare Your IT Department for an AI Skills Gap

  • Emerging Technologies for Tracking COVID-19 in Higher Ed

  • Screencasting Adds Engagement to K—12 Classrooms

  • 6 Resources for Teaching about Artificial Intelligence

  • How New Innovative Features in Classrooms Support EdTech

  • Distance Learning during the Pandemic: Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

  • Universities Deploy Chatbots To Aid Students In The Admissions Process And Beyond

  • Generational Differences Affect Tech Initiatives In Higher Education

Wearables
Home›Wearables›Are Smartwatches a Smart Choice for School?

Are Smartwatches a Smart Choice for School?

By Matthew Lynch
September 26, 2019
Spread the love

Whether smartwatches should be allowed at school is a contentious issue. Many parents feel that a smartwatch can help to keep their child safe, but there are also safety concerns. Some schools allow smartwatches while some ban them altogether.

1. Safety

It’s a simple and sad fact that life is not as it used to be. Crime against children has increased. The WHO estimates that up to 1 billion children, aged 2–17 years, have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence or neglect in the past year. Having a device on a child that tracks their whereabouts, give parents some measure of peace of mind.

Most smartphones offer real-time GPS location tracking and two-way communication, so parents can always know the whereabouts of their children and stay in contact with them. Some devices can also send an alert when a child leaves a pre-set geographical area, referred to as geo-fencing.

On the other hand, these very safety features may pose a threat to children as location-tracking smartwatches are relatively easy to hack. Fact is, making a smartwatch for children that keeps all their data safe is an extremely difficult and expensive undertaking and not all companies are prepared to follow this tough route.

2. Provide some educational functions

Some smartwatches more than others, give children the opportunity to learn something. The Octopus teaches young children how to read the time with icons. The Octopus teaches children good habits and the concept of time through icons that link events (dinner/bedtime) with the time. Some watches keep the wearer up to date on world news and weather forecasts. Also, in the process of wearing and using the device, children become familiar with tech.

In reality, smart watches offer more entertainment than education. Smartwatches come loaded with games, some even come with multiplayer games, which are a constant temptation while students should be paying attention in class. In addition, a smartwatch can cause distraction in a class with notifications and ringing. Fact is, an electronic device is a source of distraction for children and teens which can make it hard for teachers to control their classes.

3. Helpful for children with ADHD

MedicalDaily.com reports that a study small in Norway has found that smartwatches can help kids with ADHD to improve their daily lives by providing them with reminders of certain tasks they need to do during the day. Parents can sync their smartphones with the child’s smartwatch and so stay in the loop on the child’s progress throughout the day, including whether they took their medication on time.

On the other hand, these devices can be more distracting than supportive for children with ADHD who easily get distracted. More research is necessary to determine how useful these devices can be for these children.

The greatest benefit of a smartwatch for a child seems to be its ability to help parents keep track of their children, but for schools, the device is probably a distraction in the class that they can do without.


Spread the love
Previous Article

The Sneaky Science Behind Your Kid’s Tech ...

Next Article

The 10 Safest and Most Educational Smartwatches ...

Matthew Lynch

Related articles More from author

  • Wearables

    The 10 Safest and Most Educational Smartwatches for Kids

    September 27, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Wearables

    Smartwatches and High Tech Cheating in Education

    November 13, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Wearables

    Can Activity Trackers Help Your Child Be Healthier?

    October 2, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Wearables

    8 Reasons Why Schools Ban Kid-Friendly Smart Watches

    September 30, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Wearables

    How a Smartwatch Can Help You Become a More Effective Teacher

    October 1, 2019
    By Matthew Lynch

2 comments

  1. Are Smartwatches a Smart Choice for School? – future of edtech 11 October, 2019 at 12:20 Reply

    […] https://www.thetechedvocate.org/are-smartwatches-a-smart-choice-for-school/ […]

  2. Schools Ban Students Who Wear Smartwatches: Here’s Why – My Phone 21 November, 2020 at 07:45 Reply

    […] other article by The Tech Edvocate tackles the query if carrying smartwatches is a good suggestion for little youngsters. The […]

Leave a reply Cancel reply

  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    Digital Literacy is the Most Important Lifelong Learning Tool

  • Uncategorized

    This science teacher says trust and hands-on lessons make all the difference for his middle-schoolers

  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechGoogle ClassroomOnline Learning & eLearning

    7 Things You Need to Know About the New Google Classroom

Search

Login & Registration

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • The Brain Science Behind Immersive Learning

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 5, 2021
  • How To Create An Immersive Learning Environment

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2021
  • Prepare Your IT Department for an AI Skills Gap

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 3, 2021
  • Emerging Technologies for Tracking COVID-19 in Higher Ed

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 2, 2021
  • Screencasting Adds Engagement to K—12 Classrooms

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 1, 2021
  • 20 Top Virtual Reality Apps that are Changing Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 11, 2017
  • 7 Ways Technology Is Impacting Modern Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2017
  • Why Mobile Technology Enhances Instruction

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 14, 2016
  • What is the Future of Online Learning in Higher Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 2, 2018
  • 7 Roles for Artificial Intelligence in Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 5, 2018
  • How To Create An Immersive Learning Environment - The Tech Edvocate
    on
    March 4, 2021

    3 Reasons Why AI Could Be Your New Teaching Sidekick

    […] Artificial Intelligence (AI) ...
  • Item Analysis and Other Exam Design Principles - The Edvocate
    on
    March 3, 2021

    Designing with Open Educational Resources (OER)

    […] and areas for ...
  • Prepare Your IT Department for an AI Skills Gap - The Tech Edvocate
    on
    March 3, 2021

    The 4 Types of Artificial Intelligence: What Educators Should Know

    […] universities and colleges ...
  • 6 Resources for Teaching about Artificial Intelligence - The Tech Edvocate
    on
    February 26, 2021

    China Is Teaching Children about AI in Kindergarten. Should the US Be Worried?

    […] possibilities which is ...
  • How New Innovative Features in Classrooms Support EdTech - The Tech Edvocate
    on
    February 26, 2021

    The Significance of Technology in Your School

    […] Dictionary defines “Innovative” ...

EdTech Policy & Reform

  • EdTech Policy & Reform

    How Much Bias Is Okay in Your School?

    Spread the loveThe algorithm has proven itself to be a handy tool when it comes to solving education problems. It’s also not without bias.  You may be wondering how some ...
  • EdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    Edtech Should Complement Good Pedagogy, Not Attempt to Replace It

    Spread the loveThe newest generation of edtech is downright amazing; it’s no wonder that various education stakeholders might be a little excited about its potential to transform education. However, edtech ...
  • EdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    How to Teach Kids to Communicate in This Digital Age

    Spread the loveWhen even the youngest children are spending the equivalent of a full work day looking at screens, it is perhaps no surprise that parents are wondering how to ...
  • EdTech FuturesEdTech Policy & Reform

    3 Reasons Why India Will Be A Leader in the EdTech Industry in the 21st ...

    Spread the loveAccording to a joint report by KPMG and Google, the online education industry is expected to grow at a healthy rate of 8 times to become a $1.96B ...
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    How Does Technology Immersion Shape the Brain?

    Spread the loveDo you wonder what all of the screen time we have is really doing to our brains? As edtech continues to rise in prominence throughout the world, this ...

EdTech Startups & Businesses

  • EdTech Startups & BusinessesOnline Learning & eLearning

    Using Nudge Theory in Your Corporate Online Learning Classes

    Spread the loveAfter reading this headline, you may be asking yourself, what is nudge theory? Nudge theory centers on positive reinforcement and inferred suggestions to motivate a person to complete ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Bringing Education into the Business World

    Spread the loveU.S. businesses spent nearly $20 billion on training in 2019. That number decreased by roughly half from the year before. Companies aren’t providing fewer professional development opportunities for ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    You Must Include These 3 Things in Your Edtech Business Plan

    Spread the loveDo you have a business plan? It’s the one question you’re going to be asked a lot as you begin your edtech business. The reasons to write a ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Edtech Marketing Ideas to Implement Right Now

    Spread the loveEven if you do have the most exceptional edtech product or service in the world, you’ve still got to market it. Your sales and your success depend on ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    How Your Edtech Startup Can Make the Leap from Failure to Funded

    Spread the loveThe best ideas in edtech are often only ideas. They never become a reality because they lack the funding they need to get off the ground. Taking an ...

Digital Equity

  • Digital EquityDigital Leadership

    How Can You Assess the Tech Needs of Your Students Outside of School?

    Spread the loveToday, I received an email from the middle school principal in Los Angeles. She explained to me that the school that she ran was in one of the ...
  • Digital Equity

    It Is Time for the Edtech Industry to Stop Denying Its Equity and Race Problem

    Spread the loveThe EdTech industry is dominated by white employees, white leaders, and white entrepreneurs. If you doubt this statement, just attend an Edtech conference. Admittedly, educators and others don’t ...
  • Digital Equity

    How OER Can Help Overcome the Higher Education Equity Barrier

    Spread the loveThe cornerstone of the American dream is the ability to succeed in life regardless of one’s family of origin. And, for most people, that requires a college education. ...

EdTech Futures

  • EdTech FuturesOnline Learning & eLearning

    IT Trends To Watch As Higher Education Moves Into a New Decade

    Spread the loveEdtech couldn’t have hoped for a better launch into the new decade than the push the industry received from COVID-19. Even the most tech-resistant institutions and individuals have ...
  • EdTech Futures

    4 Emerging EdTech Trends in 2021

    Spread the loveCovid-19 has not only changed education as we know it, but it has forced education technology (EdTech) to up its game. EdTech has been crucial since the start of this ...
  • Adult EducationEdTech & InnovationEdTech FuturesEducation LeadershipEducational LeadershipHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechThe Future of Education

    Education Technology and the Future of Higher Ed Leadership

    Spread the loveEducation Technology (EdTech) has had a more significant impact on education than anyone expected. Now its effects are reaching into the field of higher education. In this article, ...
  • EdTech Futures

    Top Edtech Trends for 2021

    Spread the loveAre you ready to look ahead? Schools will soon be reflecting on what’s been working this year and what’s not. They’ll also begin thinking about their budgets for ...
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech Futures

    In the Wake of Teacher Shortages, Schools are Turning to Virtual Teachers

    Spread the loveTeaching was once a greatly respected position, and today, morally it still seems to be of high value to many Americans. Institutionally, however, teaching no longer seems to ...

About Us

Since technology is not going anywhere and does more good than harm, adapting is the best course of action. That is where The Tech Edvocate comes in. We plan to cover the PreK-12 and Higher Education EdTech sectors and provide our readers with the latest news and opinion on the subject. From time to time, I will invite other voices to weigh in on important issues in EdTech. We hope to provide a well-rounded, multi-faceted look at the past, present, the future of EdTech in the US and internationally.

We started this journey back in June 2016, and we plan to continue it for many more years to come. I hope that you will join us in this discussion of the past, present and future of EdTech and lend your own insight to the issues that are discussed.

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Contact Us

The Tech Edvocate
5322 Markel Road, Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230
(601) 630-5238
[email protected]

Follow us

Copyright © 2021 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved.