*This blog post is based off of an article sited and linked below.
I feel that the findings and opinions from leading experts in the fields of technology and communications expressed in "Generation Always-On," are both promising and a bit scary. It is interesting to me that this new generation is a generation of creators. They can create online worlds, online arts, and online ways to be social with their peers. These young adults are able to quickly seek information, and utilize online tools to solve problems. These qualities seem very promising to a world that seems to be becoming more and more fast-paced, however, what does this mean for face to face communication and the ability to problem solve without the aid of devices?
Experts in the article shared a fear of weakness with the interpersonal skills of "generation always-on." There is a shared fear that these young people might not be able to communicate with others without the use of a keyboard. Further, experts fear that the attention spans of this generation might be much shorter, as they are used to having answers at their fingers tips within seconds to every question they may have. How will the algebra skills and the ability to write concentrated essays in an English class be affected by students who are not used to struggling and persevering to find success? Will the skills of revision, studying, and focusing by major weaknesses with these 25 year old and younger?
I appreciated how this article highlighted both positive and negative benefits to having a generation that is always hooked up to devices and technology. I think that in education, we will have to provide students with many experiences for them to grow and keep advancing through utilizing technology, however, I think that we will have to work to give these students practical experience with working with peers in a face-to-face manor, as well as experiences to work through the struggle that is acquiring knowledge. I think that if we find ways to balance the use of technology with the acquisition of patience and interpersonal skills, that we can best meet the needs to our "always-on" students.
http://www.elon.edu/E-Net/Article/59585
I feel that the findings and opinions from leading experts in the fields of technology and communications expressed in "Generation Always-On," are both promising and a bit scary. It is interesting to me that this new generation is a generation of creators. They can create online worlds, online arts, and online ways to be social with their peers. These young adults are able to quickly seek information, and utilize online tools to solve problems. These qualities seem very promising to a world that seems to be becoming more and more fast-paced, however, what does this mean for face to face communication and the ability to problem solve without the aid of devices?
Experts in the article shared a fear of weakness with the interpersonal skills of "generation always-on." There is a shared fear that these young people might not be able to communicate with others without the use of a keyboard. Further, experts fear that the attention spans of this generation might be much shorter, as they are used to having answers at their fingers tips within seconds to every question they may have. How will the algebra skills and the ability to write concentrated essays in an English class be affected by students who are not used to struggling and persevering to find success? Will the skills of revision, studying, and focusing by major weaknesses with these 25 year old and younger?
I appreciated how this article highlighted both positive and negative benefits to having a generation that is always hooked up to devices and technology. I think that in education, we will have to provide students with many experiences for them to grow and keep advancing through utilizing technology, however, I think that we will have to work to give these students practical experience with working with peers in a face-to-face manor, as well as experiences to work through the struggle that is acquiring knowledge. I think that if we find ways to balance the use of technology with the acquisition of patience and interpersonal skills, that we can best meet the needs to our "always-on" students.
http://www.elon.edu/E-Net/Article/59585