Thoughts on "Digital Nation"

Watching the film documentary, Digital Nation, raised more questions than answers about our "digital natives."  What I appreciated most is the perspective that we still do not fully understand the best way(s) to use technology in the education of our children; nor can we really foresee technology's long-term impact on our children.

The reality, however, is that technology is here to stay and as parents and teachers it is our responsibility to figure out how to harness the power of this amazing tool as well as minimize the potential risk factors it poses to our next generation.

Harnessing its power...
Whether we are in favor of it or not, it is obvious that technology engages and attracts our youth.  As educators, in order to engage our children in learning, we need to meet them where they are at.  This may, in fact, involve technological tools but in what capacity(s)?

There lives today in our society, this techno enthusiasm.  Our youth are constantly focused on (or being distracted by) some technological companion -- whether it be a cell phone, laptop, etc.  So many of us can see how technology attracts this new generation. 

Minimizing Potential Risks...
The fact that South Korea actually has schools (Internet Rescue Camps) for children diagnosed with online/ gaming addictions is a huge shot across the bow for us in America.  How do we help prevent that kind of "addiction" from becoming widespread in our children?  We need to help them become "masters" of the technology while helping them define new boundaries and achieve balance.

The recent research findings about the ineffectiveness of multi-tasking is a huge wake up call.  How many of us fool ourselves into thinking we are so much more productive when accomplishing so many things at once?  While inside, something acutally feels askew?  Now we have research to support that odd feeling inside -- research to help us and our next generation understand its implications.  In this distractable, multi-tasking demanding culture, how can we help our students focus on one thing when needed?  When is it appropriate to "turn it off?"

And what about the impact of so much "screen time" on brain development?  Especially in the youngest child, (in its first seven years of development), even the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the restriction of screen time for our youngest children.  Educators need to constantly raise the question of age/developmental appropriateness when considering technology.  What works to engage the middle school student may not be appropriate for the 5-year old in the Kindergarten. 

Obviously, additional research is needed, but the key is to continue to question and search for balance.

Future Leaders...

That said, beyond finding a balance with technology as a tool, the most compelling challenge facing educators today is to determine which skills our future leaders need and how to help them develop these capacities.

The video referred to a general consensus from U.S. colleges and  universities that today's college students' basic skills of reading and writing have decreased significantly over the last ten years.  How do we as educators, ensure our students are equipped with these necessary skills?  There is also the concern about online collaboration vs. face-to-face communication. I think SNHU's hybrid courses -- offering some sessions in class and some online -- offers one model.

PowerPoint has become one of the leading software applications in our schools today.  How do we ensure that our students' thinking goes beyond PowerPoint "snapshots" and "snippets" and delves into critical issues deeply and thoughtfully?  Beyond more critical thought, we also need to help our students focus and stick with a problem until it is resolved?

What other skills will they need for the future?  The Partnership for 21st Century Skills initiative suggests the need for a host of new "literacies."

Sherry Turkle of MIT suggests that most youth today struggle with finding "stillness."  How do we help our students find the stillness within so that they can reflect and crtitically think about issues and then come up with potential solutions? 

Also, on a personal front, how do we ensure our youth are capable of "disconnecting" and tuning into themselves?  What are their unique gift(s) that they possess?  What are they passionate about and how can they help make the world a better place?  Turkle of MIT quips: "What technology makes easy is not always what nurtures the human spirit."

As educators, we must strive to engage our students' inner spirits while helping them master technology as a tool so that they can be poised to meet their future and the world's future challenges.