A Shocking Vision of Students, New Media and Technology

With a teen headed to college next year and a tremendous interest in New Media, this video caught my attention when I saw it recently on a friend's blog.  I've seen my kids "multitask", seen how they interact with their friends online and in person, seen them turn off the TV but live out loud to iTunes, and seen the way they obtain their information.  What are we, the grown ups who love them doing to realize and communicate with them in their changing world?  Fascinating - please take five minutes and watch this video.  I'd love to hear your take.

Comments

[Ann Hession]

That was fascinating! My oldest will be going to college in 6 years -- I'm wondering how much more will have changed by then. I can imagine colleges proposing blocking Facebook etc from the wireless networks in class buildings, for example. I found it hard enough managing my time in college with the old distractions like TV and partying (noticed the students didn't mention that in their lists of how they spend their time - maybe a little editing there :-)). Trying to pay attention to a dry lecture with all those distractions available seems almost impossible -- and apparently it is!

[Barb Szyszkiewicz, sfo]

Interesting! I attended a small college, so my largest class had maybe 60 people in it. I'd say 90% of my teachers knew my name. And I want that for my children.
I agree that laptops in class are largely counterproductive; my older son's high school has them and his is the only class without them (they began using them for freshmen the year he was a sophomore.) He admits that if he had a laptop in class, he'd never get any work done. We'll see if his sister manages it next year.