I finally got around to completing the TES Develop Child Protection Refresher for International Schools course today. Between completing ICMEC training and adult supervision training for Boy Scouts this autumn, the courses can be a bit monotonous. However, I am glad I pushed through and taking this course this week reminded me of the latest child safeguarding issues that have come about post-pandemic. It reinforced my belief that we did a good thing by banning cell phones in schools two years ago as they impact student wellbeing. The course cited a research study by UCLA professor Gloria Mark, showed people spending an average of2 minutes and 30 seconds before switching screens in 2004 to 47 seconds in 2016 and beyond. The median attention span is 40 seconds. Schools need to explicitly teach students to train their attention through providing call phone-free environments, journaling, digital detox, sleep training, and meditation. I might look up her book,
TES directed people completing the course to a video produced by them earlier this school year.
TIS Director's Blog 
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