iPads in Classrooms:Helpful or Hurtful?

It’s a common habit that’s affecting the eye sight. Spending too much time on iPads and iPhones is changing the way kids learn and see in the classroom. In the Yuma Elementary School District, all schools have a “one to one” iPad usage.It’s become the new pen and paper in classrooms that’s putting more strain on the eyes.Yuma Optometrist Dr. Zuhair Samo says he’s seen a difference in young patients developing vision problems. ” I have. As far as the kids, when I started,out of ten kids maybe three will be nearsighted. Today, I’ll see 6 kids out of 10 be near sighted-that’s a huge increase.” Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for every twenty minutes you look at your screen, take a twenty second break and look at an object twenty feet in distance. It’s called the 20-20-20 practice, giving a break away from the screen and your eyes a rest. On average kids are spending anywhere from 5 to 8 hours a day on electronic devices. It’s a habit parents are concerned about. However for an educator, iPads can be effective in a classroom. Middle school teacher, Amanda Rhokola, says it’s a great tool when it’s used right in a learning environment. “I think that it could be a great tool, but if that’s all they’re doing is staring at the iPad day in and day out, it’s not going to be an effective learning tool.”