David M. Marcovitz and John David Son. Is Educational Technology Shortening Student Attention Spans? Learning & Leading with Technology, 36(1), 8-9. website at: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3620082009/AugustNo1/L_L_August_2008.htm
This article was presented as a Point/Counter-Point between the two authors.
David Marcovitz took the position that Technology is shortening the attention span of students. His argument is that we reward students with digital candy for learning facts. Technology trains children to learn in sound bites. Much can be learned using technology but there is often a hidden downside. By example he describes using software to see a flower’s growth cycle in a few seconds. After this, who will take the time to study it in real-time. Deep thought and attention to important matters go by the wayside.
This article was presented as a Point/Counter-Point between the two authors.
David Marcovitz took the position that Technology is shortening the attention span of students. His argument is that we reward students with digital candy for learning facts. Technology trains children to learn in sound bites. Much can be learned using technology but there is often a hidden downside. By example he describes using software to see a flower’s growth cycle in a few seconds. After this, who will take the time to study it in real-time. Deep thought and attention to important matters go by the wayside.
John Son argues that attention spans are not shortened as children have developed the ability to process multiple tasks simultaneously. We need to change our teaching styles from a single fact-at-a-time plodding style to more imaginative uses of technology the challenge the students. He contrasts a classroom with challenged, creative students using technology with another classroom of student in a traditional lecture style class taking notes with no creative process taking place. He want teachers to use technology to engage and stimulate students minds.
1. Which side do I side with? I support the idea that if used properly technology can be used to stimulate the students’ minds and to challenge them.
2. So then technology should become exclusive in classrooms? I see technology as being used to enhance the classroom, Also, some thought should be given to the software and the goal it is meant to meet and if it is most appropriate. I can see using the wrong technology like using the VCR for a babysitter. You can use educational tapes to simulate their minds or any movie that comes to hand to occupy them.
"Dichotomy" is a typical Western mindset, probably the legacy of Descartes' mind vs. body distinction. You might want to treat this issue as dynamic. The "truth" can flow between these two poles of opinions. In a particular context, technology can really shorten our attention span (many scholars believe so-- see how fast the screen changes on a TV commercial).
ReplyDeleteI heard at KPBS that human being cannot process multiple tasks simultaneously. We can only focus on one thing at a time. For young people who claim they do multi-tasking, they can move very fast from one task to another.
Just my two cents...