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Investigating the Negative Aspects of IXL Learning: Examining Its Potential Harm and Influence on Mental Well-being

Investigate the harmful impact of IXL Learning on pupils' psychological health and find suitable methods for a balanced approach to distant learning.

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4 min read
Investigate the potential adverse impacts of IXL Learning on the psychological health of students...
Investigate the potential adverse impacts of IXL Learning on the psychological health of students and look for viable options to foster a holistic approach to digital learning.

Investigating the Negative Aspects of IXL Learning: Examining Its Potential Harm and Influence on Mental Well-being

Let's Chill Out: Rethinking IXL Learning and the Impact on Student Well-being

I'm gonna spill the beans on IXL Learning, the digital education platform that's taken the world by storm. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows - there's a darker side to this revolution in education that we gotta face up to.

The Pressure-Brain Fry Environment of IXL

One major gripe about IXL is the high-pressure cooker environment it creates, which can be a total bummer for students' mental health. With its timed exercises and focus on scoring, it's easy for learners to feel the squeeze, especially those who are already battling academic anxiety or exam stress.

The SmartScore system, IXL's pet project, has come under fire for its role in stoking stress levels. This scoring method adjusts based on students' performance, and it's a constant reminder of the rat race that learners are running on this platform. This feeling of constant evaluation can chain you to a hamster wheel of anxiety, mirroring the effects of other intense testing situations.

Not to mention, IXL's one-size-fits-all approach is a bear for students who learn in different ways and thrive in more diverse educational settings. The rigid structure of IXL can create learning barriers for these students, potentially leading to increased anxiety and school avoidance.

Yawn City: IXL's Repetitive and Boring Learning Experience

Another major diss on IXL Learning is its reliance on drill-and-kill exercises. While repetition can be a useful tool for reinforcing skills, dripping your brain in the same stuff day after day can be like eating the same boring sandwich for every meal. The limited variety in question formats can quickly taste bland, making students tune out and lose interest in the subject matter.

Additionally, the lack of context-based learning and real-world applications in IXL's exercises can make grabbing hold of academic concepts feel like trying to catch greased piglets. The connection between academic concepts and real-life situations can get lost in the shuffle, making learning feel abstract and irrelevant, which fuels frustration and boredom.

Head Games: The Psychological Impact of IXL

The potentially psych-ward-worthy effect of IXL Learning is arguably the most troubling point. Research suggests a link between heavy use of online learning platforms like IXL and an increase in depression and anxiety among students. The constant drive to perform and the emphasis on measurable success can gnaw away at students' mental health and self-esteem, especially during formative years when students are crafting their sense of self.

The impact of constant performance measurement on self-worth can be particularly toxic. When students' worth is tied to numbers and rankings, it can create an insecure, shaky feeling of self-worth that wobbles with each test or exercise. This can be particularly damaging for students who are still figuring out who they are and what makes them tick.

Numerous students have reported feelings of frustration, inadequacy, and even hopelessness when struggling to meet IXL's high standards. These experiences resonate with concerns raised about other digital tools, further underscoring the broader issue of how technology can plague young people's mental health.

Alternatives to IXL: Balancing the Online Learning Act

IXL isn't all bad news - it has potential to be a useful tool in the ever-evolving education landscape. But for it to really shine, we gotta strike a healthy balance between digital learning and traditional methods. By combining technology with hands-on activities and real-world applications, we can create an education experience that offers the best of both worlds.

For concerned parents and educators, there are ways to level the playing field between students and IXL:

  1. Time's Up: Set a time limit for IXL usage and stick to it like glue.
  2. Real World Shit: Bring it home by connecting IXL exercises to real-life applications of concepts.
  3. Step Away from the Computer: Encourage breaks and varied activities to keep learners engaged and stress-free.
  4. Keep It Real: Foster open conversations with students about their experiences on IXL.

Schools play a crucial role in selecting appropriate learning tools, and they should carefully consider the psychological implications of any platform before adopting it. By focusing on diverse learning needs and styles and considering the potential emotional impacts of intensive online learning, we can create educational experiences that nourish students' well-being alongside their minds.

As we continue to ride the wave of digital education, let's make mental health a priority. By digging deeper into the effects of IXL on students' emotional well-being, we can cultivate educational experiences that foster not just academic success but also overall wellness and future success.

Sources:

  1. American Psychological Association (2020) - Digital guidelines: Promoting healthy technology use for children.
  2. Blum-Ross, A., & Livingstone, S. (2016) - Families and screen time: Current advice and emerging research.
  3. Domingues-Montanari, S. (2017) - Clinical and psychological effects of excessive screen time on children. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 53(4), 333-338.
  4. Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018) - Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 12, 271-283.
  5. Viner, R. M., Gireesh, A., Stiglic, N., Hudson, L. D., Goddings, A. L., Ward, J. L., & Nicholls, D. E. (2019) - Roles of cyberbullying, sleep, and physical activity in mediating the effects of social media use on mental health and well-being among young people in England: a secondary analysis of longitudinal data. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 3(10), 685-696.
  6. The intense, score-focused nature of IXL Learning can be detrimental to student mental health, as it exacerbates stress and anxiety, particularly for those already struggling with academic pressure.
  7. The SmartScore system in IXL, adjusting according to student performance, adds to the stress and anxiety, promoting a vicious cycle of constant evaluation and increased anxiety.
  8. Beyond the pressure, the repetitive, drill-and-kill exercises in IXL can lead to boredom and disengagement, making it difficult for students to retain and apply academic concepts effectively.
  9. Research indicates a link between excessive use of online learning platforms like IXL and an increase in depression and anxiety among students, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach in education that prioritizes mental health.
  10. To mitigate the negative impact of IXL, it's crucial to adopt a balanced education approach that incorporates hands-on activities, real-world applications, and open conversations about students' experiences to foster well-being alongside academic success.

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