Is Technology Changing the Way Kids Learn?

I think teachers are right to be VERY worried about this, if only from my observations of my three daughters (and remembering what a video game junkie I was as a teenager – I could play Pac Man for hours on a single quarter; what I would give to have those hours back!):

There is a widespread belief among teachers that students’ constant use of digital technology is hampering their attention spans and ability to persevere in the face of challenging tasks, according to two surveys of teachers being released on Thursday.

The researchers note that their findings represent the subjective views of teachers and should not be seen as definitive proof that widespread use of computers, phones and video games affects students’ capability to focus.

Even so, the researchers who performed the studies, as well as scholars who study technology’s impact on behavior and the brain, say the studies are significant because of the vantage points of teachers, who spend hours a day observing students.

The timing of the studies, from two well-regarded research organizations, appears to be coincidental. 

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