I recently had a class where the major assignment was a lesson plan that meshed a movie with a literary work. I originally thought that this was an absolutely fantastic idea, but upon observing some members of the newest generation i don't know if I can say this with total confidence anymore.
For instance, I have a niece that "relaxes" by listening to her iPod, while half watching t.v. and simultaneously chatting with multiple friends on her electronic tablet. How on earth can I expect her, at 11 years old, to sit through an entire movie? I guess I understand that this multitasking is important as her grades are stellar and she has a solid friend base, but how much is to much? At some point she is going to have to sit through an important, although boring, meeting or lecture and I don't know how confident I am in her being able to be "understimulated."
I am not sure how problamatic this is, but maybe part of the problem isn't in the teachers not introducing technology, but in that they don't institute the "right" technology or enough of it? However, how much is enough, and where do I draw the line? I don't know how I feel yet. Just wondering...
I totally agree with you. Multi-tasking is important in several aspects of life such as school, work, and at home. However, as you stated, it is important to be capable of paying attention for long periods of time during lectures and even movies which are occasionally assigned in school. When you are younger, your attention span is shorter, but in the case of your niece, who is 11, she should be able to expand her attention willingly. However, when you are raised in an environment where you're constantly multi-tasking, especially with electronics, WILL you be able to expand your attention? We didn't grow up with such distractions, not until we were in junior or senior high. Teachers should teach the importance of multi-tasking and focusing on one thing for an extended period of time. This is something important to think about.
ReplyDeleteI think about this all the time- our society has been reduced to a drive-through mentality, it seems. Like I mentioned in class, I saw in my observations that students fight about reading a 5 page story, let alone a novel. I think it starts at home and parents should make a conscious effort to put guidlines on what their child does so that those values can be carried on when they are at school.
ReplyDelete