Teachers might be fans of Facebook and Twitter and their smart phones, and they might see the value of incorporating technology and social media in their lessons. But those same teachers are likely to say, "Put it away!" when they're trying to speak to a class.
Students say they can pay attention to two (or three or four) things at once; teachers (and parents and administrators) say they can't.
On a tour of the Arizona Republic this morning with the Reynolds Institute, we met Heather Dunn, managing editor for Channel 12 News. Dunn works, at least part of the time, at the breaking news desk: a giant U-shaped counter that houses more than a dozen work stations that face multiple television screens all playing different stations.
"My mother used to yell at me for doing my homework with the T.V. on. Now I can say, 'Look at what I do for a living," Dunn said.
If any of our students end up with careers in journalism, they may end up writing stories with the T.V. on and Facebook open and tweeting and texting while the type. So as good teachers trying to prepare our students for the realities they'll face in the real world, we should give them an opportunity to practice those skills in our classrooms, right?
Yeah. I don't think so.
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| Channel 12 News' Heather Dunn talks with Reynolds Institute visitors about managing the news while President Barack Obama makes news on one of the screens behind her. |
Sara Hennes
Cody High School
Detroit, Michigan
Sara,
ReplyDeleteYou ask the exact question I regularly ponder. I hate having to take the time to scold kids for having their phones out, but I find them a distraction to ME! When people are off task and I'm trying to teach, I see them and can lose focus...how is it that students claim this doesn't happen??? Are they lying? My online course looks at these issues, and the new research is showing that students are being hardwired to be plugged in all of the time! Where does this leave us???
Jamie Nusbaum
Sheboygan North HS
Sheboygan, Wis.
As I read this post I couldn't believe the irony of the fact that I also have the television on, and I have my phone on Twitter where I am checking to make updates. I have 3 things going at once right now. This is the reality of it right now.
ReplyDeleteAsk yourself this: when a presenter was speaking to our class this past week, they had to deal with us on our computers and pulling out phones. I watched several people pull out phones during this mornings lecture. My first thought was, how is she NOT distracted? I think it could be interesting to use media in class but I don't think I would be able to allow social media if I am giving direct instruction. Then again, will it also interrupt guided practice? It's a valid concern.