SCREEN-TIME IRONICALLY PROVIDES ME WITH OFF-SCREEN ACTIVITIES
Not too long ago I published a blog about the importance of (additionally) doing off-screen activities. Just like this current blog, my purpose was to say that on and off-screen activities are best for me to use equally. Just as long as each are used appropriately, there isn’t a side that’s more beneficial than the other. In fact, there are so many occasions when both kinds of activities (whilst used together) make a very good team!
In my own case there are many things which I initially learned from using a screen, that have since evolved into new off-screen hobbies:
Learning a language online
The first that I’ll mention is learning foreign languages, and at this moment I can speak English (of course), Spanish, French and Italian. It is true that there are paper books which teach languages. But my local bookshops and libraries rarely have books that teach users how to speak languages fluently.
However with the availability of language learning apps, as well as AI chatbots, I have the opportunity to learn any language of my choice. I also get to practice speaking those languages every single day. Because of that, I can now fully speak Spanish, French and Italian in my everyday life. I'm very thankful because it's a great tool for me to use in my speaking and writing career.
With daily practice it takes a surprisingly short amount of time to completely learn a language. Prior to the kinds of technologies I now use, one would usually have to live in another part of the world for at least six months, in order for this to work. But this isn’t the case anymore! Language immersion can now happen at home too, largely thanks to the convenience of apps which involve a screen.
Using the screen as a canvas
Some other skills that can be learned via using a screen are drawing and painting. For the past decade I’ve been practicing this on my iPad, with an app called Sketchbook. Learning how to do any kind of artwork is something which requires a lot of trial and error. So without digital apps to practice with, a lot of material wastage gathers up. Yet once I learned how to draw and blend colours on Sketchbook, I was then able to take the next step by using actual pencils and paper. If I hadn’t initially learned the required techniques using a screen, I would have just given up trying, and thus would never have attained a new relaxing (off-screen) hobby.
Designing and building with software
Minecraft is another game which is very beneficial. Since 2012, I’ve had a lot of practice with building digital models (of places and objects) from using this app. From this I’ve now expanded into creating files to 3D print (using TinkerCad and Nomad). TinkerCad is a great app for building and/or designing things using blocks and pieces; whereas 3D models are made in Nomad from using a (digital) lump of clay.
In summary, I strongly feel that if I have the ability to do things without screen/technology assistance, it’s always best for me to do the job on my own. Yet quite often I do need the very thing which at first glance seems less healthy, in order for me to attain the skills needed for a screen free life!