Since I opted to present this project tomorrow, I’m posting what I planned to post at the end of this week today so that I can talk about it in class tomorrow.
First I want to talk about this video clip which is from the t.v. show The View. I find the statistic true that grades have dropped 20% when kids are multi tasking homework with Facebook. And they discuss Twitter as well. Something I do disagree with is that kids type in slang. I feel that now that it’s progressed there’s a lot less chatspeak. And my typing of this blog in formal typing is proof that I do know how to type. In fact I type out full words and punctuation when I’m sending texts as well, and it’s my mother and father that send me texts like this: “gr8 job 2day lin-z” I think they’re trying to be cool? Who knows. I feel that kids can switch between chat speak and formal typing, especially as we have to type up so many essays.
I wanted to talk about another article…
“s a perfectly clear explanation for the lack of ability to stay focused for more than a short period of time. Next time you go on the Internet, make note of how many different activities you are concentrating on at once. More often than not, when a typical University of Massachusetts student goes onto the Internet he immediately checks his Facebook, signs on to his UMail account, logs-on to SPARK to check for assignments, and browses ESPN.com for sports highlights. Seem accurate? In this situation, the Internet allows us to think about four to five different topics all at the same time, creating a fragmented stream of consciousness in a multi-tasking environment. It discourages us to think deeply about certain topics that require profound and extensive examination.”
So true. I decided to make a note of everything I do when I “typically” log on. So here’s my list:
Facebook.com
AACreditUnion.com (check my bank account)
Catmail.arizona.edu
Textsfromlastnight.com
Yahoo.com (other email)
I also occasionally browse…
Amazon.com
Cakewrecks.blogspot.com
Postsecret.com
UAccess.com
Arizona.edu
Espn.go.com
You get the picture. So it’s definitely true that I get so distracted and I think I can multitask because the internet allows me to. I guess its just something I (and everyone else) has become accustomed to…
“Groups of people who have expressed mutual concerns are mobilizing to organize media reform movements. One group that has been founded is called “Action 4 Media Education” that supports and promotes media education in homes and schools. Their goal is to educate children to think critically about the media. Raising awareness is the first step that we as a society can take to combat this issue.”
I think raising awareness to this problem is definitely a good idea. And lately there have been a lot of articles and studies done on it. But I also think not enough is being done. I had some issues trying to find stats and blogs on the internet and it’s effects on people. I think it’s a bit ridiculous actually that there aren’t more people speaking out.
So, Lin-z, remember when I asked if students would be able to go offline for 24 hours? I really wanted to do this for the class, even if it would be hard to control, given roommates, etc. What if I asked students to go off Facebook and the Internet (except for D2L or whatever they needed for homework) for 24 hours? What if you did that experiment for yourself? Could you? Are you "addicted" or is this just a bad habit? You say your GPA has gone down and you even know why. Maybe you don't care, but it seems you do. This blog is one indication that you care about your work. Can you go to the library and not get on Facebook? Maybe it's not FB, per se, but that socializing is so much fun! Okay. I'll stop now.
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