"Digital Nation" Response

Steve Flynn - Response to:
Frontline: “Digital Nation” Aired 2/2/10

The program hit the nail on the head with the comment regarding technology communication without social interaction. It is indeed a sign of the times that we are witnessing. So much attention is given to being involved in a “techno-culture” that leads to removal of face-to-face contact and socialization. It reminded me of home teaching situations where, due to some students being confined to home for various reasons and time periods, they are deprived of the social aspect of daily life. Also, a converse situation occurred immediately after the Blizzard of ’78 when people were relegated to walking as the sole means of mobility – it catered to people actually communicating on a face-to-face basis. It was great! I experienced this first hand!

Some other pieces of information that were worthy of note:
1. Students were characterized as having difficulty in digesting learning.
2. Dr. Turkle’s quote: “To be creative, not distracted!”
3. Dr. Yung: coined the term “Internet Addiction” – he was the first to classify it as a psychiatric malady.
4. Internet “rescue camps” – these were devised as a “de-tech” (as in “detox” center) method of weaning teens off technology overload.
5. For 15 year-old Young Ill (not sure of the spelling!), this rescue camp didn’t work. He couldn’t even communicate with his mom.
6. S. Korea serves as a model for using technology prudently. At the same time that students are taught to read, they are taught to go on-line, BUT cautioned to do so responsibly. Nevertheless, there are 1000’s of Internet “huts” existing that cater to infatuation with techno-related activities.
7. “Netiquette” – Internet etiquette
8. Major premise offered by Steve Major: The world’s going to require kids to build things and be problem solvers. Currently, kids are not headed down that path with their focus being on technology and NOT critical thinking skills!
9. Mr. Levy’s comment: “The world has sped up, education has not!” SO TRUE!
10. Professor Baurlein (?): Students can’t write – only 6% of professors said that students are prepared coming into college ready to go – kids now write in paragraphs, not essays!
11. “Paying attention to 1 thing is an art lost!” This clearly sums up the state of learning at the hands of technology today AND what, I feel, was the main message of this program.

NOTE: This program may be viewed in its entirety by visiting the following link:
"Digital Nation"