Cyberpsychology and Why it Matters for Education
Image of a sign of the internet
Technology has revolutionised the way we work, play, and learn. It has never been easier to connect and collaborate with others. This digital environment, however, has opened up a range of challenges, in the real world and online. This is where cyberpsychology comes in.
What is Cyberpsychology?
Cyberpsychology is the study of the impact of technology on human behaviour (Aiken, 2018). It is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on understanding the psychological and social aspects of technology and its impact on individuals, groups and society as a whole. According to Psychology Today (2020), the following five areas are relevant to the field of cyberpsychology:
Online behaviour and personality;
Social media use and psychological functioning;
Games and gaming;
Telepsychology; and
Virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and applications.
Cyberpsychology in Education
As the use of technology continues to rise in our daily lives, so too does it in education where it is an integral part of the learning process. Both educators and learners are relying on technology to aid in the teaching and learning process. Since cyberpsychology studies the impact of technology on human behaviour, it has the potential to help us to understand how technology can be used to improve learning outcomes. With the current discussion around ChatGPT and its' implications, we are seeing how technology can really have a detrimental impact on the teaching and learning process. By understanding cyberpsychology more, we could better understand how students learn in an online environment, or how it can be used to foster collaboration, creativity and/or problem-solving skills.
Why is it Important?
As educators, we are continually implementing new technology within online courses or classrooms. As such it is our responsibility to provide a safe environment for learners when using technology. In this video Professor Mary Aiken explains that whilst the internet has a wealth of information, there are also things that can be harmful to users. Therefore, it is the educator’s responsibility to consider the safety implications, what is appropriate for children of different ages, and, of course, what the legal age for appropriate content is.
What Can You Do?
As an educator, you have an obligation to provide a safe learning environment physically and virtually. It is always beneficial to create an open dialogue with learners and encourage them to share their experiences with technology. In doing so, you can provide them with the necessary tools and resources for a safer learning environment. When considering the technology you want to implement in the learner experience, a few questions you can ask yourself are:
1. Is the technology needed for the task/s?
It can be easy to get excited about the latest technology and want to implement it straight away, however, it is important to understand why you are implementing selected technology and how it will benefit the learner.
2. What are the risks and rewards of the proposed technology you are implementing?
Make sure you look at the risks as well as the rewards of different technology. If the risks outweigh the rewards, is it worth implementing? Again, consider how the learner is benefiting from the implementation of the technology.
3. What is the true cost of the software?
I have heard ‘don’t worry, it’s free’ many times, but the monetary cost is only one consideration. Just because it doesn’t cost money, it may be collecting data, having advertisements, etc. It is your responsibility to determine the true cost and whether these are a risk for your learners.
4. Is the technology age appropriate for your cohort?
Remember the internet has a wealth of information and it is important that educators are considering the age appropriateness of technology in their learner experiences.
5. Create an open dialogue
I mention this again, as I think this is critical to determining how and what technology you are going to implement. Perhaps learners have had experiences that can inform what and how you are implementing it. Ensure you have a safe space for learners to share their true experiences.
Summary
As an educator it can be daunting to keep up with the different technology and what to implement. Regardless, it is important to consider the psychological impacts of technology and how you can ensure a safe environment for your learners. By understanding this, we will be able to create a more engaging and secure learning environment.
