For my independent learning project this week, I’m trying a new approach to technology: disconnecting from it. More specifically, disconnecting from Facebook. I still have the Messenger app on my phone since that’s my main form of communication with people. I have limited myself to checking Facebook once in the morning and once in the evening since club information and occasionally job information is posted on there. Other than that, I do not touch it. My goal is to stay off of it for the week. I deleted the app from my phone so I can only check it if I get on the computer.
I decided to do this for the week after I realized that I was reading an article about “15 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’” I hate that movie. Why am I reading this? It made me realize just how mindless I had become when it came to social media. It was a time filler for me. Walking across campus? Better check Facebook. Waiting for class to start? Better check Facebook. What is sad is that I was checking Facebook when there were a million other things for me to do. I could spend an hour on there watching dog videos and makeup tutorials for techniques I do not care about and not even realizing it.
I’m on day three of no Facebook, and it’s easier than I thought. It’s also been really nice to get away from the political nonsense. I was getting really tired of seeing people’s political opinions plastered all over my news feed. I don’t care who someone is voting for. All of the rants and memes were getting irritating. One problem/benefit that I have encountered is that I replaced Facebook with Pinterest. I have been using a lot of my free time to look up glaze recipes and potential projects for my ceramic class, but I’ve been spending more time doing that than I probably should. However, I’ve been able to really dig in and find some awesome things. Also, no politics on my Pinterest feed!
I think this is applicable to the classroom in that, while there is a lot of great technology out there, we can’t overload on it. It’s easy to get overzealous and go all out on technology. We need to make sure what we’re using is relevant and not just a time filler. If teachers use technology just for the sake of using it, then it is no better than handing out worksheet packets. Use your time wisely, you only get so much of it.
Photo CC: Mike Mozart
Emily's Blog 
Wow! That’s a good way to keep your self from looking at facebook by just deleting the app from your phone. I bet it’s amazing how many times people check facebook on their phones. I should try this for just a week and see how I do. I bet I won’t be able to do it. Since that is where I see what is happening at my high school for sports and such.
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It is hard because of that. Facebook is the only way I consistently stay up to date with friends and family
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This is awesome and really funny because I find myself doing the same thing! I look at stuff on facebook that I don’t even care about just to pass the time or to avoid doing homework. I’m sure you felt a lot better after not having it for awhile but it must have been hard at the beginning not to check it all the time. Very cool post!
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What I found funny was how habitual it was. I kept trying to tap on the space were the app was just to remember that I deleted it!
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I used to do the same thing. I deleted mine almost two years ago. It has been wonderful. There are some things that I miss out on but I don’t miss the constant flow of unimportant information.
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What I’m finding to be a bit overwhelming about it is dealing with multiple notifications when I open it up on the computer. I’m used to checking them as they come across my phone so having multiple things all at once is a little much. It is nice to not have information overload though.
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I have a friend who regularly does this and I never understood why until reading your blog. You’ve inspired me, I’m going to try it this week. Thanks!
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Glad to provide some inspiration! It’s never occurred to me to try it until I hit that point where I realized just how pointless it all is.
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I’ve done this from time to time. I disconnected from all social media for 30 days at a time to get a rest from all the noise. I’ve done it twice this past year and it’s awesome. One time I ended up reading five books just for fun. I wasn’t a student at the time, but still working full time and a mom. I also knitted two projects. All because I gave up social media. It takes over more than we know and you don’t realize how much of a habit it is – from checking while stuck in traffic, or during commercials. It’s habit more than interesting. I’ve come close to deleting it altogether but it’s my only means of communication with part of my family so I haven’t yet. Well done to you. Enjoy the peace!
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I think the only reason I’m keeping it is because it’s how I’m connected to my clubs, work, and family. I get important information about those things, but everything else is irrelevant.
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I agree with you! It’s so great to get away from technology for a while, especially facebook. Once you realize how much time you spend mindlessly scrolling through memes and photos of people you don’t even remember meeting, it’s terrifying to think about. Taking a break from it all allows you to realize how much you miss during the day. Quality conversations, the beautiful birds hopping around outside the window, the fact that it’s October and still warm. It’s crazy! Great post!
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Thanks, it’s been nice to have all the free time, even if it’s dedicated to homework!
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That’s what I’m saying!
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I love this post – just the encouragement I needed
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Glad you liked it!
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I love this post – just the encouragement I needed! I recently deleted Facebook off my phone as well, and it’s been good and challenging at the same time. It’s been freeing, yet I find myself wanting to check Facebook in my free time. I think I’m relearning how to just sit and listen or watch what’s around me without always having to have a distraction.
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I put it back on my phone after that week off, but I have noticed that I’m not habitually going to it anymore. If you get done with a week and are still wanting to check it all the time, then I’d take more time. It did help just to have that week off though.
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