In
class Monday we discussed whether or not technology is benefitting students. I
do believe technology has provided students with useful tools for education
such as search engines and the Internet. I think these tools allow students to
be self-sufficient researchers. I also think educational video games and
digital presentations with flexible teaching styles are good because they allow
students to become engaged in learning on their own terms. However, I found a
New York Times article written by Matt Richtel (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/education/technology-is-changing-how-students-learn-teachers-say.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1)
that discusses teacher’s complaints about new technology.
I think a teacher’s opinion is very
important because they spend so much time with children every day and
experience first-hand changes in learning over the years. The complaints are
the same no matter what grade level; attention spans are dwindling due to the
constant use of digital technology. Teachers have to work harder at keeping
their student’s interested and engaged. According to the Richtel, “media use among children
and teenagers ages 8 to 18 has grown so fast that they on average spend twice
as much time with screens each year as they spend in school… there is mounting
indirect evidence that constant use of technology can affect behavior,
particularly in developing brains, because of heavy stimulation and rapid
shifts in attention.” Technology is causing a shift in how students learn. Instead
of fixing the problem teachers are adding to it by changing their lessons to accommodate
the easily distracted generation.
I think there are
serious consequences such as the decline of analysis and depth in handwritten
work, decline in the ability to persevere in the face of challenging tasks, poor
face to face communication skills and poor critical thinking. Students have a “Wikipedia
problem” because they are conditioned to have any information they want in a
few clicks of a button. According to Richtel, “students’
ability to focus and fight through academic challenges is suffering an exponential
decline… the decline most sharply in students whose parents allowed unfettered
access to television, phones, iPads and video games.” I
know I personally am very distracted by my phone and laptop in and out of
class. Using these devices can sometimes make reality uninteresting.
I think people need more skills than working
devices, typing and researching. Students need to know how to figure things out
for themselves and problem solve without relying on technology. We do not know
for sure what will happen in the future, systems could fail, the economy could suffer,
and we might not always have access to this technology.
If we can just learn everything through
a screen, why would we hire teachers? And go to class? We need that social aspect
at school as well. We need cannot rely fully on objects. It supports the idea
that we as humans are inadequate.
I completely and totally agree with you. I also find myself very distracted by technology in AND out of the classroom. I do believe that it can be a positive thing in some respects because it can make learning more engaging, however, it cannot be our sole purpose for finding information and learning. I agree that we have become totally reliant on just getting an answer on the Internet to something whenever we want it, and I can totally see how this can affect student's attention spans. I think it is important to that your article came from the perspective of a teacher.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that we are totally reliant on the internet for answers. I use it as a tool, and I don't use it as the only way to find answers. Others may abuse this resource, but that it a different conversation.
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