February 2020

What were your plans for Spring 2020?

Erasmus + partnership from Spain, Turkey and Poland was looking forward to implement numerous off-line activities for pupils in primary and secondary schools involved in the project ‘Online Slavery: Social Media Addiction, Social Life’s Extinction’.

Schools in Lodzkie Region (central Poland) started their summer semester in February, it was to be the most active period in the project delivery. An extremely rich programme was established by ZNP Schools that participated within the project with great enthusiasm; designing sport, cultural, educational, entertainment events and trips engaging all school community members: students, teachers, headmasters and parents.

These were our plans…

Unfortunately, at the very last moment, the situation changed unexpectedly all over the world due to the COVID-19 crisis and very few actions were undertaken.

SAFER INTERNET DAY

On Tuesday, 11 February 2020, we celebrated the 17^th edition of Safer Internet Day (SID), with events and activities taking place right across the globe in over 170 countries. With a theme of ‘Together for a better Internet’, the day called upon all stakeholders to join together to make the Internet a safer and better place for all, and especially for children and young people. Series of workshops were organised for pupils, teachers and parents at the premises of ZNP schools as well as those across the partnership.

14.02.2020

Valentine’s Day Celebrations at ZNP schools aimed at spreading positive emotions. Nobody expected then on how much we will need them now….

…in new reality…

 March 2020

It is a story about how our enemies must become our allies.

Let’s recall why the project was implemented.

The widespread use of smartphones and social media and the uncontrolled use of IT, especially among school-age youth, turn into a habit that leads to addiction. This, at first, affects both academic success and active participation in social life negatively and prevents people from undertaking physical activities. Starting from the family, there is a need for awareness and guidance on healthy alternatives at school and community level.

PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT:

The project focuses on the “social media addiction” that occurs in students and affects them irreparably. The main objective is to direct students to non-virtual “real” socialization activities such as competitions, tournaments, clubs, outdoor activities and to protect young people from social media addiction. In this direction, regional education authorities, guidance and research centres, schools and technology centres were included in the partnership, and a multidimensional strategy was put forward by blending theoretical, technical and psychological studies.

Since March 2020, all schools in Poland are closed. The Ministry of Education imposes on-line learning as the only possible form of legal education in the pandemic period. Families are obliged to stay at home, all social gatherings are forbidden. Virtual reality is a must and we hope not a threat. Paradoxically, we should accept everything we were against while designing the ‘On-line slavery” project, which is facing new challenges. Our intention was to minimise negative effects of over-using social media by students. IT skills and cyber communication competences among school pupils should constitute an asset when there is no other option for learning, for socialising, or for living.

On-line life is the only one available right now, so let’s benefit from it … wisely.

‘Isn’t it ironic? Don’t You think?’ Alanis Morissette could sing again.

Lodz, 31.03.2020         36,6 Competence Centre; ZNP Schools