Science of Learning
Science of Learning > Science of Addiction
Brazen Learning was recently shortlisted for the Science of Learning award category for the QS-Wharton Reimagine Education Awards. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication to our team, and particularly towards the vision we’ve built with Student Soapbox.
With all the recent news around big tech, and being the end of the year, we took some time to reflect on what this award nomination really means to us. And the more we think about it, the more honored we are.
Earlier this year, we heard a lot about a big name in the tech industry. They are huge, and in fact, you might be reading this blog post only because of that big name. For that, we are immensely thankful! That company, and the smaller divisions - big names in their own right - focused on user engagement to create a social experience and network. But worryingly they chose to use algorithms designed specifically for people to become consumed with their products, without recognizing the damage they were doing, especially in regards to young adults. It’s a Science of Addiction, and as more research, documentaries, and Netflix movies are produced around this subject, the more we understand this might not have been the best choice.
Young adults relative to their smartphone behavior research shows that phones are checked over 200 times per day. That’s at least once every seven minutes. But it’s not to make calls. Behind some of these big name apps on your phone is a deliberate process designed to trigger parts of the brain and biological chemistry, making a person want to come back again and again. Their reasoning is pretty straightforward, the more times you open and engage with an app, the more money they make, either through advertisements, data you provide, and based on the number of clicks and downloads.
It’s an interesting evolution, and there’s much to discuss about this. The biggest danger in this, from our perspective, is when brains not yet fully developed are still triggered to keep returning to check that app, their likes, their comments, their DMs. Addiction itself is a topic that needs to be discussed fully, but when we become addicted to our technologies - there are whole ecosystems we aren’t aware of, but intrinsically a part of, and aren’t doing anything to improve our mental or physical health.
Our focus is on engaging with technology because we’re gaining something from it, we learn, and then we can leave it, without the product altering our brain’s chemistry. The Science of Learning, if you will.
When deciding on partnering with education companies, partnering with companies that focus on the Science of Learning, like Brazen Learning’s Student Soapbox, will ensure you can be proud of products that reimagine what education means, without feeding the addiction. Feel free to connect with us to learn more!