The effect of technology on our brains
This section mention that the brains of generation Y are the same as previous generations, that actually is not the case. Research actually shows that technology is physically changing our brains.
"The current explosion of digital technology not only is changing the way we live and communicate but also is rapidly and profoundly altering our brains. Daily exposure to high technology—computers, smart phones, video games, search engines such as Google and Yahoo—stimulates brain cell alteration and neurotransmitter release, gradually strengthening new neural pathways in our brains while weakening old ones. Because of the current technological revolution, our brains are evolving right now—at a speed like never before" (Small & Vorgan, 2008).
It's my understanding that the psychological addiction to online gaming and excessive use of the internet has been recognized as a clinical category by the American Psychological Association. This would suggest that part of our responsibility as educators is to teach students how to use technology effectively.
It's like the question "Do video games make kids more violent?" Everybody has an opinion, but nobody knows. School shootings? Fights? Internet bullying? Nobody knows.
Nobody really knows, yet, what these changes will be, if any. The only "research" I've read was mostly opinion. They asked 100 teachers, who mostly said the students were more "distracted" and had a "harder time focusing." But it wasn't really research, it was just opinions. Time will tell, but right now, nobody really knows anything, as far as I know.
Well that makes sence. I think working our brains is an important function just like working out physically. Maybe hard but is a good thing
Jill ,
it's definitely a balancing act isn't it. We have an opportunity to be good examples to our students of the effective but not overuse of technology.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
So for the most part, we should consider that although learning technology can be difficult at times, it also helps our brains to stay exercised and healthy while also providing us with a means to connect with our students.
