Responding to "Growing Up Digital, Wired for Distraction"
Write about any ideas or facts that surprised you, angered you, delighted you, or evoked any strong reaction as you were reading. Write about anything that stays on your mind after reading.
Refer directly to the text using quotation, but only quote about 10 to 15% of your total word count. Write a minimum of 150 words and a maximum of 250. You may use multiple paragraphs if that suits your comments.
Bring your completed work, printed and double spaced, to class next Wednesday.
24 comments:
As a teacher, I had strong reactions to the feature article Growing Up Digital, Wired for Distraction. From my introduction, you will know that the experiment on the boys in Cologne has stuck with me. While my kids were growing up, we adopted a “no Nintendo or video games” rule in our home. Finding out that “these media affected the boys’ brainwave patterns while sleeping and their ability to remember their homework” made me feel that I had made a wise choice (although my son disliked that rule!). Another thing that struck me was Sam Crocker’s comments on Facebook. I think he’s absolutely right when he says that on Facebook it “feels like you’re doing something and you’re not doing anything.” When I see someone making frequent updates to Facebook, I sometimes wonder whether the person lives in the real or the virtual world!
Of course, my main concern is with you, as students heading into a new world that will combine the old demands of scholarship (close reading, synthesis of ideas, academic writing) with new temptations. My daughter complained to me about student behaviour at university these days with laptops tuned to YouTube in the classroom and scant attention paid to the professor. Although I once thought of online education as a panacea, I’ve come to realize that the real world classroom of people with its potential for learning is the key and hope that the digital world will not make it obsolete.
—244 words
I found Matt Richtel's New York Times article “Growing Up Digital” fascinating and shocking at the same time. I knew about Brad’s comment on how the human brain develops up until the age of 25. This is not an issue for me as I became involved with computers in my 30s. However, this article made me more concerned about how the younger generations are being affected by overindulgence in the digital lifestyle and the future implications on society.
Markus Dworak, the Harvard neuroscientist who led the brainwave pattern experiments on 12 to 14 year olds, came up with some eye-opening results. “When you look at vocabulary and look at huge stimulus after that, your brain has to decide which information to store,” he said. “Your brain might favor the emotionally stimulating information over the vocabulary.” I totally agree. Emotionally charged stimuli will always conquer lesser information. This I know just from how I learn myself. If I am really passionate about something, whether it is positive or negative, I am going to remember it. Burn yourself on a hot stove and you’re going to forever remember that pain connection. Same goes for pleasure.
When it comes to digital distraction, it’s up to the young individual to determine if it’s becoming a problem. Indicators like low grade point, isolation, weight gain are just some and they are there for a reason. If these don’t provide enough motivation to improve focus and prioritize then I think there might be more underlying, deep seated, issues that need to be dealt with and should involve parents. – 262 words
-My Response to "Growing Up Digital, Wired for Distraction":
I must admit: after I’ve read, “Immediate gratification or investment in the future?” at the end of the article, I was shocked but somewhat agreeable to it because it probably is true to our modern society, we want immediate gratification, rather than invest in the future.
The serious problem we, as human beings are facing today is we are so “addicted to facebook and YouTube potato,” that we don’t even consider,
no rather, care even to talk to our families anymore. They rather text or updating their status on facebook or twitter. Taking me, for example, I used to take some time to buy the special cards for my loved ones and then send them to them, but right now, I just go to Internet, and pick any e-cards to send them without spending any considerable time.
And even when I want to talk to my friends, I just have to go to facebook and chat with them. And I also want to download something—I know it’s illegal, all I have to do is go to downloading website and do it.
-193 words.
The stark choice that Vishal Singh faces reminds me of my son who often struggles between vedio games and homeworks. When he goes back home from shool, the first thing is to turn on the computer. He claims that the computer is for study, but I know without adult supervision “the impetus isn’t to do homework but play around.”As a matter of fact, it is also very hard for us adults to resist the temptation of the digital devices, let alone children. The key to this problem is how to position the use of these devices: for work or just for immediate gratification and when to play as well.
I am shocked by the research finding “Playing video games led to markedly lower sleep quality and also led to a significant decline in the boys ability to remember vocabulary words.” I only regard the games as distraction and time-waster, and I know long-time playing is bad for eyes. But if it is also harmful for children’s sleep and memory ability, it’s time to take measures now. I will show this article to my son and have a talk with him to limit the time of his playing. I know it will be a quite difficult bargain, but I will try.
-210 words
I like how Matt Richtel uses examples of students who are growing up with digital technologies and, as they acknowledge themselves, the technology is taking them away from studying. Many parents buy a laptop to their offspings for education. In reality, it is a tool for entertainment and source of distraction. Sean’s statement that he “sometimes wishes that his parents would force him to quit playing and study” shocked me with honesty. In additon, many teachers struggle in the battle with iPods, text messaging, You-Tube or games to win the interest of the young generation. I prefer the attitude of Mr.Reilly – “meet them on their turf” as he teaches an audio class to students who are ”at risk of tuning out school”. He is not saying that Vishal would get to filmmaking based purely on his portfolio, but he encourages him to master his academinc skills too: “If you’re going to write scripts, you’ve got to read.”
Perhaps, Dr. Rich’s speech “Reclaiming Childhood from the river of Electronic Screens” will inspire a movement. I worry that the next generation would live full virtual lives, but would not form face to face relationships. How would the today’s “texter and gamer, Facebook addict and YouTube potato” react when they grow older? Would they be able to concentrate sufficiently to perform in jobs? Would their brains work differently because of a constant need to switching tasks? I am pleased that the neurologists are blowing the whisle before it is too late to change anything.
-151 words
should read -251 words
Use of computer became part of our life as we live in a digitalized society. Most of the students hooked up themselves to the digital devices whenever they are free. However, I am getting concerned the young generations` future –include my own children- after reading “Growing Up Digital” by Matt Richtel.
Children are exposed in the cyber world indiscriminately and can get plenty of information from internet: it is easy to get much of information through internet, at the same time, some of them are very dangerous physically and emotionally. It is hard to supervise for 24 hours to those vulnerable young people. We know “young people tend to use home computers for entertainment, not learning.” They tend to spend hours for computer games, texting messages, and chatting on Facebook. I worry about those students who can be left behind in their school system and isolate themselves from the real world. I think supervising is essential, but it sounds like very passive. I agree “computers can be combined with education to better engage students and can give them technical skills without compromising deep analytical thought.”
185 words
As a student in my early 20’s being surrounded by fancy gadgets advertised at bus stops, trains, newspaper flyers I feel like you can’t escape it.
After reading the article “Growing up Digital, Wired by distraction” by Matt Richtel I thought it was nothing new or surprising when he talked about how students today are affected by all these new digital games and youtube videos. Richtel focuses on students being overpowered by technology becoming more available, faster and easier to use. Researchers say these studies have particular implications for young people, whose brains have more trouble focusing and setting priorities.
My concern is that students are lacking Education and parents are not encouraging their kids to read and do extra curriculum like swimming, playing soccer, and gardening. Instead Vishal seems to be amused when he says “I click and something happens," he says, explaining that, by comparison, reading a book or doing homework is less exciting. "I guess it goes back to the immediate gratification thing."
Offcourse today’s young generation finds their pleasure in video games, blackberry’s facebook, twitter rather than a book. The way of communicating today has affected entire societies not just the young generation though. I remember only being allowed to watch an hour of television, playing board games, drawing and having to read 12 novels in my grade 7 year.
Vishal like many other high school students spend more time on computers and are losing interest in things they can acknowledge from like joining an organization or being active and playing sports. Students not being able to function in class, not being able to finish their homework, grades dropping is something parents should take in consideration and encourage them to do better.
It’s obvious that over the years change in technology has been constant and constantly desired. The technology amplifies whoever you are," Mr. Reilly says and I strongly agree because everywhere you look there’s always the newest and fastest blackberry or iphone, ipads being introduced and kids feel the need to show off or be competitive.
(341 words)
will have to revise and maybe edit but this is my full version for now!
It’s globally accepted that the Internet has become a milestone in almost every walk of life, enabling us to get instant and free interaction with the external dynamic world. Nevertheless, the great impact of the Internet on the youth remains a moot question. Growing up in the digital information era, “the Net Generation” have a crazy passion for the new social media communicating platforms--cell phones, blogs, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The concerned parents are beset with worries that their kids’ digital immersion has obviously led to their habitual distraction, which will directly make an adverse effect on their learning.
Vishal Singh, the hero of this article, is surely an exact example of the “Digital Natives”, who are really lured by the digital realm. He’s totally indulged in making music digital videos and talented in filmmaking, seemingly, his future career. However, it’s a pity that he “lacks the self-control”, which has led to his distractions in learning. I’m greatly touched by his parents who won’t “put roadblocks in his way” and are willing to help him to achieve his dream of filmmaking. Additionally, I also deeply admire David Reilly, principal of Woodside High School where Vishal is studying, who sympathizes with his students and is generous enough to build a multimedia center to encourage them to display their digital wit.
Hopefully, Vishal will keep a sensible balance between his digital world and his improvement in study, and, furthermore, will become an Internet tycoon in Silicon Valley, the leading hub for high-tech elites.
--252 words
Growing Up Digital, Wired For Distraction by Matt Ritchel is an interesting article. Technologies change the lifestyle of a person especially teenagers. It’s true that computer can really affects the study life of a teenager. I’ve been through to that kind of life for years but even though I try to get away from it, the computer continues to attract me.
According to Matt Ritchel, teenagers have more time on their computer and cellphone rather than their studies which is true. Teenagers “send and receive 27,000 text in a month” and hours of surfing the internet. Playing video games was compared to watching televisions to two teenagers. The result is, playing video games against watching television, their learning abilities become lower because their “sleep was disrupted.” Another point that I agreed is the socialization. We always need a break every time we have homework so, we go online and chat or text on your cellphone, but the consequence is, sometimes we forgot our homework and doing it “in the bathroom before school.” We can’t change or remove these technologies, but we can change are habits on using them.
-188 words
After reading the article “Growing Up Digital, Wired For Distraction” by Matt Richtel, I realized how many friends and family members of mine and including myself get distracted by technology. For example, my sister and her boyfriend text each other every second (at home, school, soccer practices, even at work), and now I noticed that both of them do poorly in their school work than they did last year. My little brother gets distracted really easily by watching TV. He doesn’t concentrate in doing home his goal it to just finish it and go watch TV. Like Vishal said, “I know I can read a book, bur then I’m up and checking Facebook,” I get distracted by “mail.ru” which is kind of “Facebook” in Russian. Whenever I have assignments do in computer I log on to chat with my friends in Kazakhstan, and end up doing homework till really late.
Overall, “you can’t become a good writer by watching YouTube, texting and e-mailing a bunch of abbreviations,” but you can actually learn lots of stuff from it, if you know how and when to use it appropriately.
~ 187 words
I found this article “Growing up Digital, wired for distraction” by Matt Richtel very useful for both adults and teenagers. It tells us that as new technologies develop each day it may also have a negative affect on us. I know technology is good for everyone but if we misuse it then it could become dangerous. Vishal Singh is a teenage boy who prefers immediate gratification. He said, on YouTube, “You can get a whole story in six minutes” by watching and “A book takes so long” to read. I wonder why teenagers are so lazy these days. They don’t want to spend their time reading books but they have tons of time for playing video games and surfing on the internet. Some students use their electronic devices such as cell phones and iPods during class, which is not right. I want to mention my cousin here who is addicted to the internet. After she is back from school her priority is to turn on her laptop and use it until she goes to bed. Her excuse is that she is using her laptop to do homework when she is really chatting with friends or watching videos online. I found that she is a Facebook addict and YouTube potato.
---210 words
The article, Growing up Digital, Wired for Distraction was an interesting read. I for one, see myself as one of those younger people who grew up dependent on technology, and used it (or abused it) dramatically.
The first time I touched a computer is when I was only 7 years old, at such a young age I was exposed to computers. At the time, I was attending first grade, we had a computer class which introduced us students to computers and what it’s all about. The moment I got familiar with computers, I was instantly addicted to it. I was amazed of how complex and useful a computer is, but as a kid I mostly used it for games. It certainly affected my performance in school; it distracted me from my classes.
After reading that, “Playing video games led to markedly lower sleep quality and also led to a significant decline in the boys’ ability to remember vocabulary words.” I was already aware of the lack of sleep that it gives me, but memory loss? That is something that I have to take serious, I’m not saying that sleep shouldn’t be taken seriously, but memory loss is something I should only be only worrying about when the time I retire. I will definitely limit myself and my brothers’ use of video games from now on.
I too found what I wanted to do in life, if it weren’t for technology I would probably say the same as Vishal, lost and someone who doesn't know what to do in life.
I plan to take a post secondary Computer Information program next fall, and get a job that I am passionate about.
-280 words
I can relate from one of the studies mentioned on the article. It happened to my own family as I observed my nephew’s behavior on dealing with his multitasking activity.
The scientists experimented rats in University of California; they concluded that “when the rats take a break from their exploration do they process those patterns in a way that seems to create a persistent memory”. To relate the study from human beings, I’ll take my nephew as my example. My nephew is a “A” student in his Secondary School, but I found something in his behavior that contributes a big stress in handling his schoolwork. He is a multitasking kid like doing homework at the same time watching YouTube, updates facebook and playing PS3. As a result he ends up at exactly 1 am doing his entire task. According to Dr. Rich, “kids are on constant mode of stimulation”. In my nephew’s case, he always forgets his books, notes, assignments, and important things when going to school. He doesn’t have enough rest to organize his things. My example supports the experimentation that kids should be given time to take a rest in order to let their brain focus on every single task into an orderly manner.
I strongly agree about the ideas and studies mentioned in this article, it evidently evolves in young students especially they are engaging on modern technology. The best guide for the kids is constant conversation from parents to their children and supervision of using modern technology not only for entertainment but for learning as well.
-260 words
The effort of Woodside High Schools principal, David Reilly, to regain students attention by “meeting them on their turf” stayed with me from the feature article Growing Up Digital, Wired for Distraction.
While taking a Civics eleven course in high school my class mates and I were part of a technological experiment held by our school district to see if laptops should be inter-graded into the curriculum. We were each assigned laptops to use for the duration of the semester to see how students would adapt to virtually a paperless course; would it be positive or negative? No results were given to us, the students, so i can only speak for myself, but I found the laptop to be very beneficial, and it actually boosted my marks; or perhaps it wasn't the laptop itself helping, but my efforts were increased by the enticement of doing schoolwork on a screen. Technological advancement in the classroom has increased steadily through out my education, I think its a necessary adjustment in order “to connect with students” and keep them up too date in today’s ever advancing world. Although I agree with Reilly's agenda, the problem still lies with students who “lack the self-control to favour schoolwork over the computer”and all the distraction that comes with one; we need educators to find a balance so that people don’t forget to hold value in traditional learning which has gotten the world so far.
---242 words
In the 21st century, we as people have created such technology that can possibly ruin ourselves and our future generation’s lives. We are getting mixed messages about what these devices and objects could possibly do to us. For start, certain scientists, like Michael Rich, say that “developing brains can become more easily habituated than adult brains to constantly switching tasks-and less able to sustain attention.” On the other hand, “parents and educators stress unease about students’ digital diets; they are intensifying efforts to use technology in the classroom.” In the article I had read, I find it quite confusing how most parents and teachers are against cell phones and computers, but are allowing their children to participate in using these types of devices. How our children are suppose to learn how to defend for themselves when all they’re doing is relying on technology? We as people need to stop and think what we are doing to our children and coming generations. Its time to stop and put our foot down because these generations are going to be the ones taking care of us in the future.
Pinky
The article “Growing Up Digital, Wired For Distraction,” by Matt Richtel, shocked me. Students have only one choice, “homework or computer,” but according to Vishal’s statement, when he got his new computer his life changed. He says,“I realized there were choices,” Vishal recalls, and “Homework wasn’t the only option.” On You Tube, “ You can get a whole story in six minutes,” he explains.“A book takes so long.I prefer the immediate gratification.” Vishal should have completed his summer assignment.
I enjoy technology, but there is a limit. However, for the younger new generation. It’s very sad, that students are missing the joy of life. Another important issue that I noticed is, students of all ages are blamed for using computers to solve problems than to work more practically. My opinion is, that electronics aren’t that bad if you have a reason to use it. I was very surprised, when I read Sam Crocker’s comment on Facebook when he says that “feels like you are doing something and you’re not doing anything.” Well, it seems true to me. For example, it happens to me all the time. Even though I am very busy with my everyday schedule, when I’m sitting on the computer on Facebook, I think the same way Sam Crocker does. My six year old niece always sits on the computer after school for five hours a day, just to play video games.
I will suggest that parents do not have to allow this to happen to their children. We should not allow our children to use electronic toys also.If they read books, or play outside, they will be very healthy children. Sometimes,I wonder that if our electronics fail us, we would be in a serious crisis.
---296 words
To be frank, the article, “Growing Up Digital, Wired for Distraction,” costs me $2.50 to call my father to tell him I appreciate your strict rules about sleeping, watching TV, and playing video games past 10:30 PM after reading that the researchers find video games and TV “Affected the boys’ brain wave patterns while sleeping and their ability to remember their homework.” That is not the only case for me. I was greatly shocked by how the technology lure affects the new generation in modern society and distracts them from doing their duties. In Vishal, instance, she concedes that, “I need to stop this and do my schoolwork, but I can’t.” when he was doing Facebook, talking to his friends on You Tube, listening to music, and doing many things at once, which will led him to critical issues then such as addiction eventually. However, the new generation is in a real dilemma if they don’t prioritize their tasks over time using digital devices, and don’t make the right choice by looking for other things such as sports or reading books. Instead of sitting behind screens spending a long time on the net, which results in “Lack the self-control,” and isolation as well they should be more aware.
I absolutely agree with Dr. Rich comments in his interview in the way not suggesting that young people, “Should toss out their devices, but rather that they embrace a more balanced . . . life,” to use these powerful tools in order to succeed in their life and distinguish between virtual and real-life demands, and, as a result it belongs to them to decide whatever they want to do.
I totally agree when Sam says, “Facebook is amazing is because it feels like you’re doing something and you’re not doing anything. It’s the absence of doing something, but you feel gratified anyway.” I don’t use Facebook, nor do I understand why many people update it so frequently as part of daily life. It’s a waste of time. It is a trend that Facebook is turning people into packs of information; Mark Zuckerberg says their goal is to make everything social, but it only happens in virtual world.
I’m touched by Reilly’s effort to teach students through technology, and I think it’s a good way. It’s impossible to force them to get rid of computers right away. If we can guide them how to make proper use of computers, it will be very beneficial to their studies. Teenagers’ self-control is usually weak, thus sometimes they can’t make the right decision even they know the situation clearly. There must be someone to point it out for them directly. Moreover, digital devices are able to help a student’s dream come true. If Vishal really want to devote into the film industry, he needs to know a lot about how to do editing and other works through computer. He just needs to know that he should focus on regular courses before he get the admission from a university. We can handle a double-edged sword. (231 words)
Sherry Turkle says that,” The moment that people are alone, even for a few seconds, they become anxious, they fidget, they reach for a device”. Personally, I think this is the most persuasive part of her talk. I experienced this kind of situation when I moved here in New Westminster and living by myself. I was alone and just want to be connected to others and by grabbing my Iphone I feel that I was not alone through connecting with my friends and family. (88 words)
For me, the most persuasive part of Alessandro Acquiti’s talk was when he showed us how “unsafe we are in exposing our privacy to everybody”, using a face recognition software in social media. Recently, I was posting a picture in Facebook and I was about to tag my friends and it suddenly recognize their face and their name even if I did not type their name yet. It’s going to be easy for criminals to get our identity and it’s so alarming. (82 words)
Matt Ritchel quotes a professor saying, “We’re raising kids in front of screens whose brains are going to be wired differently”. This is what I also observe about kids nowadays. They are glued on computers and new gadgets that they forget what’s in real world. Obesity and attention span has been linked to this obsessiveness of digital media. Some parents are to be blamed on this matter because they’re the one who bought those devices to compensate the lack of time to their kids. (84 words)
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