Is technology overuse making our kids “dumber?” Veteran teachers Joe Clement and Matt Miles argue it is. They will present their findings and insights on the impact of technology on students’ lives and minds at a public presentation hosted by Eastern Mennonite School, March 20 at 7:30 p.m.

The authors of Screen Schooled: Two Veteran Teachers Expose How Technology Overuse Is Making Our Kids Dumber argue that educators have rushed in the past decade to digitize instructions, without taking time to ask, “Is this what is best for students?”

Clement and Miles — both graduates of James Madison University which is a partner in presenting the address — have seen firsthand how damaging technology overuse and misuse has been to students. They identify as being “on a mission to educate and empower parents,” showing how screen saturation at home and school has created a wide range of cognitive and social deficits in our young people.

Pediatrician Ron Bashian writes in his Amazon review of the book, “I could not agree more with the observations in and recommendations of these experienced teacher authors… Executive functions – such as memory recall, time management, planning, prioritizing, finishing – are all impaired by prolonged immersion in the addictive allure of video games, texting, and social media. Adverse change in both brain structure and connectivity, perhaps permanent, have been shown to correlate with extended screen time in these still developing young brains.”

Clement and Miles will share their research on trends in schools and outcomes, and make a case for simpler, smarter, more effective forms of teaching and learning.

The session is free and open to the public.

Area private and public school and college or university administrators and teachers are encouraged to attend, as well as parents and students.

The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s auditorium at 801 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg. Parking and entrance to the auditorium is located in the back of the building, reached by entering the upper lot (toward Eastern Mennonite University) on the east side of the school’s front office. Call 540-236-6000 with questions.

In addition to the partnership with James Madison University, WVPT Public Media is a media partner. Additional sponsors include: Park View Federal Credit Union, Everence, and Eastern Mennonite University with support from Shirley’s Popcorn and Brian Mayes Karate Studio.