The Impact of Technology on Relationships in Educational Settings

by Angela Costabile (Editor), Barbara A. Spears (Editor)

Our lives have been changed by ICT in numerous ways and the implications for education are enormous. ICTs have transformed the linguistic, cognitive and visual dimensions of human communication, as well as our perceptions of the self, and social identity in the global culture. New and emerging information and communication technologies are increasingly presenting society with significant challenges, such as those concerning the safety and wellbeing of our young people. At the same time, they are re-writing how we learn and interact socially and are forcing reconsiderations of social boundaries, psychological perspectives and the relationships which operate in and around them. The Impact of Technology on Relationships in Educational Settings is based upon a huge research project spanning 27 countries under the auspices of COST (European Consortium of Science and Technology), set up to explore the role of ICT in relationship forming, social networking and social relationships within our schools. Researchers from across Europe, Israel and Australia came together to pursue new knowledge, and devise strategies and interventions which will support young people as they navigate their on-line worlds. This cutting edge international text offers cross-cultural, psychological perspectives on the positive uses of new and emerging technologies to improve social relationships and examples of best practice to prevent virtual bullying. As the lines between the parallel universes of off-line and on-line behaviors are becoming increasingly blurred, educational settings are challenged to not only respond in a reactive sense to the safety issues that arise through the misuse and abuse of new through specific intervention or post-ventions, but also to take proactive action to ensure that the positive uses of new technologies are acknowledged and championed, and are viewed as enablers of young people and their wellbeing. This book focuses on that using psychological theory as a lens to highlight the positive uses of new technologies in relationships, in educational settings, which will inform practice and shape policy, and to advocate for social supports and learning opportunities which can be delivered through technology. This book is comprised of 18 with contributions by the leading researchers from across the breadth of Europe, Israel and Australia. Whilst each nation has its own unique cultural identity and education system, new technologies cross all boundaries of time and place, making this book an exciting cross-cultural evidence-base of the positive uses of new and emerging technologies in relationships in educational settings, at a time when much of the focus in current writings has been on the more negative aspects which have emerged as new technologies cyberbullying, cyber-aggression and cybersafety concerns. A concluding chapter summarizes the key themes presented by this diverse evidence base, and presents the reader with challenges to consider and directions for the future.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2011