Brenna's Edu 3650 Blog

     If the generations born from 2000 and on had to be defined with one concept, it would be the concept of social media. These generations are embodied and consumed by technology. This is why these generations have doubled the numbers for suicide rates, psychiatric diagnoses, and many other negative factors. However, in regards to schooling, technology can be helpful by allowing for more flexible practices and interaction, but it comes with a price: student mental health. As a society, as educators, as parents, as whatever role we play, we have to ask to what price or extent are we willing to let social media control us. There is no amount of money, or valuables that should be worth more than one's mental health.       The documentary,  Plugged-In: The Toxicity of Social Media   Revealed , emphasizes the hidden toxicity of social media and the platforms it has created and promoted, and how harmful it is. Society has been on a gradual decline surrounded by the darkness exuded from

       This week's blog topic was interesting because this conversation is vital to America's youth. Young students today deem vaping to be cool, trendy, and easily accessible. The youtube video shows kids interviewing and speaking about how they are easy to take with you anywhere, and how they can be hid in your shoe, sock, backpack, pocket, or anything really. Children can be stealthy with these tragic and turmoil devices. It is truly saddening to even put children and vaping within the same sentence, but it is true, children are the main targets are these cancer sticks.       The video we watched, "Vaping in Schools: 'Juuling' Is Popular Among Teens Despite Health Risks" highlighted many of the problems with America's youth. America's youth deems vaping to be a new fab or fashion, when in reality it is just a way to possibly shorten or hinder their adult lives. There is no stereotype for people who vape or juul, they are athletes, honors students, a

                                                       This week's module, Social and Emotional Mindfulness, explored the concept of how to control one's emotions and alleviate student stress. It has been seen that "An increasing number of today's students face challenges that affect their ability to focus attention, regulate difficult emotions, build inner resilience, and form healthy and supportive relationships'' (Why Is Mindfulness Needed in Education?) These concentrations can directly affect a student's studies because if their emotions are unbalanced, they will struggle to retain information. The module gave us primary sources through the viewing of the video, and reading various articles which all promote the importance of mindfulness and the benefits it brings forward.     The film Room to Breathe was interesting and eye-opening. Prior to viewing the film I was never one to believe in meditation and mindfulness techniques because they never worked