Technology is such a huge part of our kids’ lives, especially at school, that we don’t always stop to ask: Is all of it actually helping them learn? This week, neuroscientist and educator Jared Cooney Horvath gave us a lot to think about. (And considering I haven’t been able to help with our kids’ math homework since elementary school, I definitely had some questions.)
Jared joins us to explain what happens when screens replace handwriting, textbooks, and face-to-face interaction. We talk about the difference between using technology to “offload” work versus “outsourcing” skills we haven’t learned yet, why preparing kids for a digital future might actually mean less tech in the classroom, and whether AI is taking things one step too far. But the best news? No one is stuck. Attention, memory, and learning can improve, and there are changes parents and schools can make right now.
Penn and I also lean all the way into our Gen X roots, including the rotary phone (aka the original fidget spinner.) Turns out we may be advocating for less tech while being extremely entertained by very old tech. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.
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Laugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS.
Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!
00:00 Welcome to Laugh Lines
4:57 Schooled By Gen Z
12:28 Welcome, Jared Cooney Horvath
15:33 Too Much School Tech?
20:06 The Power of Handwriting
24:22 Change In Schools
28:55 The Use of AI
35:05 When To Use Tech
39:03 How To Make Change
42:01 How Teachers Feel
46:10 Deep Note Taking
53:!2 The Good News
57:10 Knowledge & Creativity
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