iYouth: OMG the world of technology is getting like, super massive LOL!
Electronic technology is getting faster and more personal by the minute; for some people it’s become their hobby, their therapy, and even their livelihood. The pros and cons in the advancement of technology have always been a topic of discussion; everyone is affected by modern electronic technology in some form and today’s youth seems to be the target audience. The question is whether or not this is a good thing. Does it make them smarter or dumber? Is it addictive? Does it equip them with necessary skills for the future? There’s no scientific evidence that completely denounces any particular viewpoint, but there has been a noticeable shift in youth culture.
Most parents want their children to be intelligent and go as far as to expose their children in-utero with patterns in music (Molloy, 2006). There are so many toys available now that connect a child with stimulating information; it’s hard to come by a toy that doesn’t have at least one electronic component to them. There has also been debate about electronic media being used as a babysitter. Again, there are many pros and cons to the exposure to such media. Overstimulation is a hot topic for many parenting and technology resources. A TechNewsWorld columnist J. LeClaire asks parents, “How much is too much?” (LeClaire, 2006). Children’s “brains get used to too much auditory and visual stimulation…and in the absence of these stimulations, they do not know what to do with themselves,” says Dr. Mann (LeClaire, 2006). This behavior leads to the debate about integrating technology within schools.
Schools that are privileged enough to have access to computers and the internet can provide opportunities for the student to play learning games, access information, and other fun activities. “Computers are the wave of the future, but old fashioned learning techniques should not be forgotten. A child needs to interact physically with other people and not learn everything from computers” (answers.com). In the process of attempting to make children smarter are we in fact hindering their ability to take charge of their own education? The author of the World’s Dumbest Generation, Mark Bauerlein argues that, “the web means to them not a window onto the world of history, civics, geography, philosophy, literature and art. It's a window into what they really care about-- one another” (Heyboer, 2009).
Many of today’s generation use the technology as a means to socially engage one another; their heads are in the cloud, so to speak. Even with all the new technology being brought to the market for other purposes it seems that it boils down to the need to connect with someone. While this can be used in educational settings for youth to dialogue with each other there comes a point of keeping it in moderation. High scoring South Korean students have technology access all day, but “they're asked to leave their iPods and iPhones at the classroom door” (HuffPost, 2011). Maybe the key to balancing it all is taking the time to unplug from everything.
References:
Answers.com. (2012, February). What are the advantages and disadvantages of using computers in education? Retrieved from http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_advantages_and_disadvantages_of_using_computers_in_education
Heyboer,K. (2009, July 15). Is technology making kids dumber?: A Q&A with author Mark Bauerlein. The Star Ledger. Retrieved from http://blog.nj.com/njv_kelly_heyboer/2009/07/is_technology_making_kids_dumb.html
HuffPost. (2011, May 25).Technology in Schools: Weighing the Pros and Cons. HuffPost. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/22/technology-in-schools-wei_n_772674.html?view=screen
LeClaire, J. (2006, September 6). Kids and Tech: How much is too much? TechNewsWorld. Retrieved from http://www.technewsworld.com/story/52677.html
Molloy, F. (2006, November 23). Can high tech toys make kids smarter? Livewire, 1-7. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/clever-little-things/2006/11/22/1163871409739.html?page=3
Most parents want their children to be intelligent and go as far as to expose their children in-utero with patterns in music (Molloy, 2006). There are so many toys available now that connect a child with stimulating information; it’s hard to come by a toy that doesn’t have at least one electronic component to them. There has also been debate about electronic media being used as a babysitter. Again, there are many pros and cons to the exposure to such media. Overstimulation is a hot topic for many parenting and technology resources. A TechNewsWorld columnist J. LeClaire asks parents, “How much is too much?” (LeClaire, 2006). Children’s “brains get used to too much auditory and visual stimulation…and in the absence of these stimulations, they do not know what to do with themselves,” says Dr. Mann (LeClaire, 2006). This behavior leads to the debate about integrating technology within schools.
Schools that are privileged enough to have access to computers and the internet can provide opportunities for the student to play learning games, access information, and other fun activities. “Computers are the wave of the future, but old fashioned learning techniques should not be forgotten. A child needs to interact physically with other people and not learn everything from computers” (answers.com). In the process of attempting to make children smarter are we in fact hindering their ability to take charge of their own education? The author of the World’s Dumbest Generation, Mark Bauerlein argues that, “the web means to them not a window onto the world of history, civics, geography, philosophy, literature and art. It's a window into what they really care about-- one another” (Heyboer, 2009).
Many of today’s generation use the technology as a means to socially engage one another; their heads are in the cloud, so to speak. Even with all the new technology being brought to the market for other purposes it seems that it boils down to the need to connect with someone. While this can be used in educational settings for youth to dialogue with each other there comes a point of keeping it in moderation. High scoring South Korean students have technology access all day, but “they're asked to leave their iPods and iPhones at the classroom door” (HuffPost, 2011). Maybe the key to balancing it all is taking the time to unplug from everything.
References:
Answers.com. (2012, February). What are the advantages and disadvantages of using computers in education? Retrieved from http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_advantages_and_disadvantages_of_using_computers_in_education
Heyboer,K. (2009, July 15). Is technology making kids dumber?: A Q&A with author Mark Bauerlein. The Star Ledger. Retrieved from http://blog.nj.com/njv_kelly_heyboer/2009/07/is_technology_making_kids_dumb.html
HuffPost. (2011, May 25).Technology in Schools: Weighing the Pros and Cons. HuffPost. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/22/technology-in-schools-wei_n_772674.html?view=screen
LeClaire, J. (2006, September 6). Kids and Tech: How much is too much? TechNewsWorld. Retrieved from http://www.technewsworld.com/story/52677.html
Molloy, F. (2006, November 23). Can high tech toys make kids smarter? Livewire, 1-7. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/clever-little-things/2006/11/22/1163871409739.html?page=3