In the past few years, I’ve become increasingly aggravated with the claim that technology is positively destroying our generation.
Older generations have only pointed to the few downfalls of the advancements, pointing out the children’s failures. Have they acknowledged what improved technology has offered? Or maybe what their refusal to accept the change has affected?
It isn’t the technology that is inhibiting proper face-to-face communication, class participation, or lowered test scores. The issue is how an older generation upholds millennials to expectations regarding these behaviors while denying them the opportunity to do it the way they’ve been taught: through a keyboard.
Before any of you jump on your soapbox here, you should know that I’m not defending excessive computer, television or phone use. Unfortunately, some do abuse these items. No matter the system, there will be those who refuse to practice any type of self-control. I’m simply defending the majority.
Although I’ve been rather blessed with reasonable teachers, I have had my share of those with a no tolerance cell-phones policies. “Don’t let me see it. Don’t let me hear it. Heck, I don’t even want to smell it.”
There’s this funny thing called Google. And most of us have it installed in our cellular devices. Every answer to every question is at our fingertips. If cell phone usage was encouraged in the classroom, we’d dive deeper into the material, past the curriculum. There’s a much higher desire to learn when it’s based upon one’s own interest, not just what he or she is told to be true from a text book.
And what about school-related apps? Quizlet? Edmodo? Tigerview? You want your students to utilize these at home, but not in the very place that they’re receiving their education?
An effect of this free phone access and permission to look up questions: a highly more participatory class. Most students are focused on the world going on inside their phones. Instead of heightening their distraction by not allowing their phones be out, treat their phone as a tool. Even if they are on Twitter, they have their phones out. Ask them to look up a question you have. Suggest websites and helpful Youtube videos that relate to the subject. Encourage their involvement.
And what about how fat we’re all getting? Child obesity has skyrocketed this past decade. Have you ever considered that the only way for humans to increase their pace with any type of exercise is through music that has a faster beat?
