Does technology help or hinder our youth?

As I sit in classes all I can see is a sea of computers and tablets. Not to mention the endless amounts of smart phones. The question is do we even know how to communicate face to face anymore? Do we know how to learn without technology? Anymore I feel ancient taking notes in what seems to bet the “old fashioned” way with your typical paper and pen. I used a computer once in high school to take notes, and I came to realize that I wasn’t retaining any of the information I was writing down. Also, I found myself doing other things besides what I was supposed to be doing. This made me question. Has all this technology helped us or hurt us when it comes to education and our youth?

Everything now-a-days is linked to technology. Messages are sent through email. Assignments are posted online. Even copies of textbooks are online available to read. There is an online practice module for everything. It is true that this is convenient, having everything right at our finger tips. You need an answer to something, use your smartphone and google it. But, this technology comes at a price. That price being out attention span. Videos and video games aren’t always bad. This isn’t about banning them forever. In fact, sometimes they are good for brain stimulation in babies and young kids. However, this is about putting limits on them. We wish to stimulate children’s brains and not fry them. An article on takepart.com stated that “studies show that the more time infants, toddlers, and preschoolers spend with screens, the less time they spend engaged in two activities essential to healthy development and learning” and that “Screen time takes children away from hands-on creative play—the kind of give-and-take activities that children generate and control and that are specific to their interests and abilities”. See that article here.

Blod Pd.1 Blog #1 Pic

Photo came from here  (found in google).

The issue now is how do we limit the technology kids use when it is constantly being promoted in school for learning. Sure, there are certain online programs that provide extra practice that prove to be beneficial. For example, on an article titled Science of Teaching and Learning it states how if a student is having trouble in one area it may be a lack of understanding, and more so a fact of memorization (see the details of the article here). In this case, drilling the brain with practice helps to better understand what you are doing. As they say practice makes purpose. However, this kind of practice takes time and focus. Two qualities we are losing with this era of technology. As noted in an article on the Psychology Today website technology writer Nicholas Carr said that “the emergence of reading encouraged our brains to be focused and imaginative” and that “the rise of the Internet is strengthening our ability to scan information rapidly and efficiently” (see article here).

According to humanillness.com it is the reticular activating system, or RAS, part of our brains that has to deal with attention (see website here). Just like any other part of the brain it needs to be trained. It needs to be active, but in the right ways. As also stated in humanillness.com “If the brain becomes accustomed to constant stimulation by rapidly changing visual effects, it may easily become impatient with tasks that require closer attention” (you can access the site here). The site also goes to claim how studying and reading, two key elements in education, require more “demands” on the brain (humanillness.com). Using the internet does not make these tasks easier. Instead the technology provides for internet to be at almost everyone’s fingertips. In turn the internet provides short cuts for finding this information. Student’s don’t need to read a full book when they can find a quick summary. Why take notes and study them when you can watch youtube videos. Technology is taking away from the methods of teaching that were once implemented and once worked.

A final example of just how dangerous technology can be and just how wrapped up we get in it is best demonstrated within youtube or facebook. Youtube is known for its series of related videos shown. Many people get caught up in this. You could be searching an educational video one minute, then get sucked in by the related videos and end up watching a video of a puppy. Just like that youtube caught your attention away from your studies and drew it elsewhere. Facebook does the same. People are constantly sharing things and posting pictures. It shows you a preview of the link or pictures, and next thing you know you’re on a totally different page or sifting through all that person’s photos. This goes to prove that our attention spans do not last long, and we have to, in a way, train them to work the way they need to. If we do not start to crack the whip with children it may be too late. As Psychology Today says about children, “their brains are still developing and malleable, frequent exposure by so-called digital natives to technology is actually wiring the brain in ways very different” (access site here).

So, it is time to take a stand and set an example for kids. We need to limit the times they spend on the tablets and laptops, and increase the time they spend reading and exploring. We need to not let them fall victim to the world of related videos and links. These limitations will help to shape their brains to focus more, and therefore should allow many of them to do better in school and truly understand, without the shortcuts.

 

One thought on “Does technology help or hinder our youth?

  1. Brooke Lytle

    I agree that while technology can be very useful in teaching, it can create problems in learning. This is true regarding to your eyes as well! Did you know that laptops and bright screens can give you tension headaches, dry eyes, and eye strain, making it harder to concentrate in class? You can read about it a little more through this LiveScience article. You also read slower on a computer screen than you do an actual book, which makes reading assignments just that much harder to keep up in school. For kids to be able to do the best at school, they do need breaks to give their eyes a rest, otherwise it will be very hard for them to concentrate in class. n

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