Those dang kids! Always dialed in to the latest gadgets! That's generation AO - Always On!
How does being 'always on' affect education? In an Elon University study, several respondents were quoted as saying students of the AO generation are looking for "instant gratification, quick fixes, and a lack of deep thinking ability". I totally agree with these thoughts. I can see it in my classes every year - my kids just want everything right now (or want you to do it for them) and when things get tough, it's just easier to quit. This is unaccaptable. They need to learn how to think through problems, know how to work within a group of people who have different opinions and ideas, and be able to fight through problems when things get difficult. And while it shouldn't be my job to teach these things (parents), it is something I find I have to include in my lesson plans. In meeting with both students and athletes one-on-one, it is sometimes difficult to get eye-contact, let alone an actual answer you can understand. I look at this as the video game syndrome - a direct result of always being plugged in. Don't want to work through the different levels? Go online and find cheat codes. Don't like the way the game is going? Reset and start over. Don't want to be bothered? Throw up the hoodie and put on the ear phones. It's just a lot easier to do it that way.
That being said, I must clarify that I do have students in my classes who are motivated and patient, thoughtful thinkers and who are mentally strong when facing life's challenges. But it's those at the other end of the spectrum who unfortunately absorb so much of our time. I think a big part of that is based on what happens at home. Are parents talking with their children about online education (being safe, proper netiquette, finding appropriate info)? Are parents setting time limits for online usage? Are families engaged in activities that don't involve electronics? Part of how this affects education is how it is handled at home.
We have always faced issues of change where we have good and bad, pros and cons. And in these issues we have always had fears and concerns, as well as high hopes for great achievements. Students of the AO generation will be no different. We will always have a group who we are concerned about, those who are 'always on', but in a way that isn't always healthy, where they haven't quite developed the skills or work ethic necessary for success. And we will always have a group of motivated youth who are also 'always on', but who are motivated and able to adapt and overcome, utilizing the latest technologies and advances for a greater purpose.
In the end I believe it starts at home with parents setting limits and having discussions about online expectations. Cell phones/laptops/tablets,etc. should be shut down at night and taken out of the bedroom so students can have uninterrupted sleep. There should be scheduled family time that does not involve technology (i.e. no phones at dinner or on your hike). When this is handled correctly at home, it can have a greater impact in how it can positively affect education.
That being said, it's time to log off and unplug!
Make it a great day!
DG
Read about the study here:
Elon studies the future of "Generation Always On"
http://www.elon.edu/e-net/Note.aspx?id=958393
How does being 'always on' affect education? In an Elon University study, several respondents were quoted as saying students of the AO generation are looking for "instant gratification, quick fixes, and a lack of deep thinking ability". I totally agree with these thoughts. I can see it in my classes every year - my kids just want everything right now (or want you to do it for them) and when things get tough, it's just easier to quit. This is unaccaptable. They need to learn how to think through problems, know how to work within a group of people who have different opinions and ideas, and be able to fight through problems when things get difficult. And while it shouldn't be my job to teach these things (parents), it is something I find I have to include in my lesson plans. In meeting with both students and athletes one-on-one, it is sometimes difficult to get eye-contact, let alone an actual answer you can understand. I look at this as the video game syndrome - a direct result of always being plugged in. Don't want to work through the different levels? Go online and find cheat codes. Don't like the way the game is going? Reset and start over. Don't want to be bothered? Throw up the hoodie and put on the ear phones. It's just a lot easier to do it that way.
That being said, I must clarify that I do have students in my classes who are motivated and patient, thoughtful thinkers and who are mentally strong when facing life's challenges. But it's those at the other end of the spectrum who unfortunately absorb so much of our time. I think a big part of that is based on what happens at home. Are parents talking with their children about online education (being safe, proper netiquette, finding appropriate info)? Are parents setting time limits for online usage? Are families engaged in activities that don't involve electronics? Part of how this affects education is how it is handled at home.
We have always faced issues of change where we have good and bad, pros and cons. And in these issues we have always had fears and concerns, as well as high hopes for great achievements. Students of the AO generation will be no different. We will always have a group who we are concerned about, those who are 'always on', but in a way that isn't always healthy, where they haven't quite developed the skills or work ethic necessary for success. And we will always have a group of motivated youth who are also 'always on', but who are motivated and able to adapt and overcome, utilizing the latest technologies and advances for a greater purpose.
In the end I believe it starts at home with parents setting limits and having discussions about online expectations. Cell phones/laptops/tablets,etc. should be shut down at night and taken out of the bedroom so students can have uninterrupted sleep. There should be scheduled family time that does not involve technology (i.e. no phones at dinner or on your hike). When this is handled correctly at home, it can have a greater impact in how it can positively affect education.
That being said, it's time to log off and unplug!
Make it a great day!
DG
Read about the study here:
Elon studies the future of "Generation Always On"
http://www.elon.edu/e-net/Note.aspx?id=958393