What do you think about fidget spinners?

[EEEEEEP]

What do you think about fidget spinners... I personally think they are just one of damn gimmicky things.

Nothing special...they just spin! Yet they have somehow become famous and sold everywhere.. even seven 11!



What do you think?

[jamonwindeyer]

FIDGET SPINNERS!!

They've become popular recently because a patent expired, and so now the design is available for use by any manufacturer, meaning they are now everywhere. Or something to that effect, aha

I played with one at one of my partner's family events, young cousins have them. I kinda get it, they are nifty, and if you are doing tricks with them I see how they sustain interest...

What I don't get is the COLLECTION of them! Like, one of the aforementioned cousins spent $50 on two $25 spinners because they were like, chrome? Or something? That I don't really get, ahahaha

[Quantum44]

I respect people who bought them and actually use them for fidgeting.

I don't respect people who bought them to jump on the bandwagon.

I have even more respect for people who didn't buy them.

That being said I don't have particularly strong opinions on the subject since people buying fidget spinners does not negatively impact anyone else in a meaningful way.

[Wales]

They're just things that kinda are there... I have one but I don't find it particularly interesting. A bit cringey when I see people play with them if I'm honest :\

[Joseph41]

I have severe anxiety at times. Ever since I was very young, being able to distract my hands has helped.

Rubik's cubes, blutac, my ring, balls, pens, fidget cubes, fidget spinners. They're all good, and they all help me.

[Aaron]

I don't think they're that bad personally... but from a teacher point of view, they act as a massive distraction and are just another thing that has to be managed.

[jamonwindeyer]

I don't think they're that bad personally... but from a teacher point of view, they act as a massive distraction and are just another thing that has to be managed.

This is interesting, would they actually be? Like obviously there are exceptions to any majority but I've heard lots of stuff say that it really helps a large number of students, that spinning them under the desk improves their ability to concentrate on the content?

Hearsay, not read any reports or anything

[EEEEEEP]

I don't think they're that bad personally... but from a teacher point of view, they act as a massive distraction and are just another thing that has to be managed.

Out of curiosity, are they banned (or confiscated) out where you teach?

[Aaron]

EEEEEP: I don't teach FT yet, but the schools i've done placement at have banned them outright (+ confiscate on sight)

Jamon: I can see your point to use them as an aid for easily distracted students.. but imo from my own experiences on placement especially in low socioeconomic areas, it is hard enough trying to engage a middle years student in a discipline such as maths without added objects that serve no valuable learning purpose (of course, if you as a teacher were creative you could try and integrate them somehow.... but I am yet to see that happen).

[MightyBeh]

I don't own one personally, but I still have a love-hate relationship with them. On one hand, my older brother (who has autism) has one and he says it helps him cope when he's particularly stressed out, which is nice. Hate them because of that horrid combination of the annoying sound and (in some models) flashing lights. It's very distracting and makes it pretty hard to hold a conversation when the person using one is looking down at it and/or paying more attention to it than to me (but I also have the same gripe with phones... or pretty much anything). Tools for reducing fidgeting and stimming aren't really new, but figdet spinners happen to be pretty counter-productive in my experience with them. That being said I don't mind them as toys, and I've seen my younger siblings do some pretty sick tricks with theirs.

[Aaron]

On one hand, my older brother (who has autism) has one and he says it helps him cope when he's particularly stressed out, which is nice.

I was waiting for someone to comment about benefits to students on the spectrum or funded students. Definitely can see the practical benefits to this in a classroom sense, so I 100% agree with you there. Would be an exception to my previous posts

[K888]

EEEEEP: I don't teach FT yet, but the schools i've done placement at have banned them outright (+ confiscate on sight)

Ahh, banning toys at schools. Takes me back to the day of bakugan!

I personally don't really understand the craze, but that's because for me nothing beats the good old clicky pen (or taking lids off & putting them back on pens/highlighters, if that makes sense) for my fidgety needs. If anyone can recommend a top fidgety thing though, I will take it on board. I realise that clicking pens can be quite annoying for those sitting near me

[meganrobyn]

I was reading an interesting study on the cognitive impact of fidgeting. Long story short, overall it tends to polarise: one group of people have distraction, fragmented thoughts, lack of concentration etc exacerbated by fidgeting; one group of people burns nervous or anxious etc energy and is able to concentrate better. The latter group is smaller, and generally doesn't create problems for others when doing it. They're also often aware of the reason they're doing it and the benefits of it.

My opinion on fidget spinners falls basically along the same lines.

[EEEEEEP]

Sheesh. THere's a lot of hate for these fidget spinners.

[S200]

What do you think about fidget spinners... I personally think they are just one of damn gimmicky things.

Nothing special...they just spin! Yet they have somehow become famous and sold everywhere.. even seven 11!

What do you think?

Any1 remember Loom-bands???
and dinosaurs??
they are the fidget-spinners of the past!!