Overview
Students will explore the impact of their technology use on their sense of self, the quality of their relationships, and their overall health and wellbeing. The unit consists of a series of clips which focus on the experiences and challenges faced by high-school students.
The unit addresses a range of relevant topics including ‘screen addiction’, ‘the pressures of social media’, and ‘the nature and value of true friendship’. Each topic considers the ways in which technology can enhance or corrupt the expression of identity and the experience of relationship.
Additional Resources:
Andy Crouch is the author of ‘The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World’ and he delivered the 2022 Richard Johnson Lecture for CPX. You can watch the full recording of ‘Disconnected: Why Technology Keeps Disappointing Us’ (56:35) and feel free to check out the ‘Andy Crouch Q&A’ (28:44) as well. We also have a ‘Life & Faith Podcast’ (33:56) with Andy that explores the impact of our screen time.
Learning Activities
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Students will evaluate the impact of different forms of technology, including social media and screen usage, on their health and wellbeing.
- Students will apply Christian principles to understand and propose solutions to the challenges posed by modern technology.
- Students will create a personal action plan to manage their technology use effectively, incorporating strategies for maintaining balance between digital and real-world activities while considering spiritual and personal growth.
SUCCESS CRITERIA:
- Students can demonstrate a thorough understanding of the effects of technology on various aspects of their lives.
- Students can explain the kinds of strategies and limits that are needed to help them flourish in their device use and app engagement.
- Students can develop a technology use action plan, including specific strategies and goals which will contribute to their overall wellbeing.
Devices vs Instruments
Superpowers vs Your Own Powers
How to Disconnect Without Missing Out
One Big Thing to Change
Icebergs vs Ocean Liners
How to Build Real Friendships
How to Break Screen Addiction
The Universal Problem of Distraction
Assessment Task
Research Task – individually or in small groups, students explore one aspect of how technology impacts their daily lives (e.g., screen addiction, social media effects, digital vs. real-world relationships etc.). They identify existing data or conduct their own peer research, then report their findings to the class as a presentation, which should include visual aids and an opportunity for Q&A. Students could also be required to make recommendations for society and/or offer advice to individuals.
Personal Action Plan: Students develop a detailed personal action plan that outlines how they will manage their technology use to balance their social connection, academic responsibilities, personal development, and spiritual growth. The plan should include specific goals, strategies for achieving them, and methods for monitoring progress and ensuring accountability. Students could also explain how their action plan aligns with their personal values and goals.
Curriculum Integration
We’ll add more here over time, feel free to let us know which classes these lessons have been helpful for.