Response to: New York Time's Education section called If Your Kids Are Awake, They’re Probably Online

I just finished reading the article in the New York Time's Education section called If Your Kids Are Awake, They’re Probably Online (site link http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/education/20wired.html).

The article discussed the growing social networking technology usage among kids: texting, video games, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. and how this increase affects their socialization. I think that what technology is doing to our kids is making them better multi-taskers. However, is this really a good thing? Does multi-tasking help or hinder us? Is the human brain capable of juggling five things at once and actually completing them all without error? Think about texting and driving. Research has shown that human beings are incapable of doing both without injuring or killing themselves or others. We just cannot give everything our 100% attention while multi-tasking.

Perhaps I am not thinking broad enough or over generalizing the issue, but I have witnessed kids "studying" while listening to their iPods, signing along, and texting. I understand that I am of a different generation, and thus, will probably never understand or even become as efficient a multi-tasker as our digital natives. However, as a teacher, I have seen the product quality of what kids actually turn in decline more and more over the years. I have also witnessed the growing detachment that kids have toward adults and society. I have witnessed them shrug at human loss, natural disasters, bullying, etc. It is as if they cannot empathize with the world around them or even see themselves as part of the world.

Now, is this just a "natural stage" for the young? Perhaps. Am I turning into my mother? I hope not! I know that teenagers can be very self-centered and can sometimes not see beyond their own realities but what about self-centered adults who cannot empathize either? Can we blame technology? The media? Or our society in general? Perhaps, we have all reach a stage or era called, "The _ell with it!"

I guess my question is how can we use technology to draw kids and adults in toward a community i.e., family, education, social activism, etc.? How can we use technology to help kids become critical thinkers, information literate, and ethical and responsible citizens? How can we bridge the growing gap between kids and adults? Parents and children? Can we bridge this gap with technology? Or, should we turn off all technology and reach out to one another in a more personal way? I understand that for some technology is a way of reaching out to others. However, I do also believe that there needs to be a balance between the human connection and the technological connection.

Sources:

New York Time's Education section called If Your Kids Are Awake, They’re Probably Online (site link http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/education/20wired.html).

Philosophy of Education

After re-reading my ten-year old philosophy of education statement, I realized that it has changed but not much. My old statement focused on teaching students the value of community, social responsibility, and diversity through literature. Today, I still believe in teaching students to value social responsibility, diversity, and the notion of community. I believe it is important for students to see themselves as more than just individuals, but as part of something larger, something better, greater. I believe that we as a society have been programmed to go about our lives each day like robots needing to get the "job" done, whatever that job may be. This type of thinking allows us not to see how all the parts fit together and thus makes us look at life and each other as less valuable, less human.

Teachers and librarians today can instill the values of social responsibility in students by finding ways to engage and involve them in the learning process. One way to do this is through the use of technology. Technology in education is not new but a growing trend. Today, students can communicate with people all around the world. What was once small and local is now large and global. Technology in education allows students the opportunity to get involved in the world. Teachers and librarians can help students by teaching them how to become information literate and ethical users of technology and information by creating research-based and project-based learning opportunities involving technology. By doing so, teachers and librarians allow students to go beyond the old Power Point and poster presentations and become invested in their own thinking and learning.

Sources:

Munroe, Randall. XKCD: A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language. Date Accessed 17 January, 2010. http://xkcd.com/220/