schooldays

Is the fast–clicking world of the information age causing a ripple in the brains of our youth? Some argue it is.

I’m not thrilled with the title, but So, How Dumb Are We? Younger Americans stumped in knowledge tests in our visually driven global info age is a worthwhile article by Lisa Anderson with the Chicago Tribune.

With the Internet offering up a seemingly unlimited amount of information at the literal click of a button, it is apparently becoming harder for teachers to impart the importance of knowledge about everything from history to literature to mathematics.

The wealth of information available today isn’t always a bad thing, but I don’t believe that information and knowledge are the same thing. A student might be able to repeat information heard or read, but how well is he able to add his own two cents?

Can he make an argument or engage in a healthy debate about a variety of issues?

Does she know why Shakespeare’s writing is considered to be so influential in literature?

One teacher in the article comments that it is hard to get students to memorize poetry when they can forever look it up on the Internet. How do teachers and parents help youth realize the importance of using their heads to come up with answers? And to think for themselves?

I believe it is going to take an emphasis on limiting the use of technology in education. Not doing away with–just limiting. It’s also going to take teachers imparting high expectations upon students to learn how to research well, read well, and think for themselves.