The government of the Canary Islands is very clear that education in new technologies goes beyond what happens in the classrooms. Their new training policies are based on the fact that families, along with teachers, have important part of the responsibility for young people to know how to use tools correctly that are becoming increasingly available to you. And, by extension, that they protect themselves against mental health problems that may arise from use.
The main manifestation of the above is the expansion of its training program dedicated to improving citizens’ digital skills (Codecan) with an orientation talk for fathers, mothers and teachers.
This new ICT training talk is incorporated into Codecan, which promotes Ministry of Universities, Science and Innovation and Culture of the Government of the Canary Islandsthrough the Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society (ACIISI), with the title ‘Mental Health Talk in ICT’.
These free sessions are designed to guide fathers, mothers, teachers and education professionals to prevent and correctly educate minors in the responsible use of information and communication technologies.
The initiative seeks to inform parents about the impact on the mental health of minors due to problematic, irresponsible, excessively early use or the abuse of new technologies.
In addition to raising this common scenario, the talk aims above all provide concrete guidelines that help families anticipate to this situation by acquiring good practices in the use of these technologies.
At the request of the School Coexistence Area of the General Directorate of Teaching Regulation, belonging to the Ministry of Education of the government of the Canary Islands, the ACIISI is scheduled to teach three talks in November with the heading ‘Mental Health in ICT’ in which at least 650 CEP teachers (Canary Teaching Centers) from Gran Canaria, Tenerife and other islands will participate.
The day ‘Educate for well-being. II Educational days for school coexistence’ It takes place on November 7 in person in the Auditorium of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with the expected attendance of 500 teachers.
And the talks about the ‘Center plan for positive coexistence’ They will take place on November 5, in person in La Laguna, for 150 teachers from primary schools in Tenerife, and on November 19 in online format, for the rest of the centers on the island of Tenerife and other islands.
The speaker of the training is David Cortejoso, a health psychologist specialized in problems associated with misuse, abuse or problematic use of ICT.
The ACIISI has taken the opportunity to remember that in this second period of Codecan activities, The entire program of workshops and talks will be active until the end of the year -December 20, 2024- in online mode, aimed in general terms at students from educational centers where secondary education, baccalaureate and vocational training are taught in the Canary Islands.
Each activity has specific conditions for participation that can be consulted on the website.
The titles of the workshops available in this edition They are ‘Create your Video Game’, ‘AI Tools’, ‘3D Design’, ‘Don’t Be Fooled’, ‘GIS’ and the Photography workshop-contest. There is another talk, titled ‘Responsible Use of ICT’, aimed at adults (fathers, mothers, education professionals) and also at secondary or high school students.
Course for seniors
By the way, the Canarian government, within its commitment to training and promoting digital skills among citizens, has also developed another course, this one, dedicated to the elderly who live in residences.
About 300 people over 65 years of age from 14 residences and day centers have participated in training on ICT and basic technological skills with the Saber Digital +65 initiative, promoted by the Ministry of Universities, Science and Innovation and Culture, through the ACIISI.
These free workshops They facilitate the use of technology in a more active way and aim to improve the quality of life of older adults.which allow them to stay connected with loved ones, combat ageism (a form of social discrimination based on age that affects many older people) and easily access a range of services and resources to live more independently and healthily.
The training has been given in eight centers in Gran Canaria, four centers in Tenerife and two in Fuerteventura, with sessions guided by trainers specialized in teaching technology to older adults, and the support of training assistants.
The methodology of the activities is active/playful and participatory, focused on practical workshops with live demonstrations and the use of digital devices such as tabletssmartphones and computers, linked to improving social connection and accessibility, as well as other issues of communication, health, learning, leisure, services, individual organization and reminders, for example.
The project Digital Knowledge +65 It is part of the program ‘Get closer to science and innovation!’ of the ACIISI that promotes greater promotion and visibility of scientific and innovative culture in the Canary Islands.