Comments on: Study: Kids Brainpower Rapidly Diminishing http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2008/10/27/study-kids-brainpower-rapidly-diminishing/ Closing the Achievement Gap: Teaching Content Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:36:05 -0500 hourly 1 By: Terri http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2008/10/27/study-kids-brainpower-rapidly-diminishing/comment-page-1/#comment-4774 Terri Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:02:24 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=1310#comment-4774 There is a tremendous book by Dr. Jane M. Healy called "Endangered Minds" (1990). I read it a few years ago, so do not recall details, but I do know that it addresses this issue. Part of it does discuss the research on how today's entertainment/leisure activities tend to (not just "tend to"...DO!) clash with the ability to do focused work. It also argues that television viewing/video games create the potential for children to become passive recipients instead active learners. (Of course these neutral electronic devices are not directly to blame...). It horrifies me to no end to have students groan when asked to write short paragraphs, or read two-page articles, complaining that it is way too much work (I can feel my skin crawling as I think about this). It is very sad, since thinking, analyzing, discussing, evaluating, and creating - those things that do require extra "brain power" as well as time - seem to be becoming shadows of the past (the old-time coffee houses where people sat for hours discussing different things; these days, this might even be considered by some adults to be unproductive...). We need to do something about this, or we will have generations of students (who were allowed to move through the system even without a sufficient understanding of the material, which seems to be becoming "acceptable" these days) who are filling positions in society that do, in fact, require thought and care...and they will have no clue how to effectively carry out their roles; or worse, they may do them in a rushed, self-gratification-seeking, careless manner. Thanks. Terri Silver Spring, Maryland There is a tremendous book by Dr. Jane M. Healy called “Endangered Minds” (1990). I read it a few years ago, so do not recall details, but I do know that it addresses this issue. Part of it does discuss the research on how today’s entertainment/leisure activities tend to (not just “tend to”…DO!) clash with the ability to do focused work. It also argues that television viewing/video games create the potential for children to become passive recipients instead active learners. (Of course these neutral electronic devices are not directly to blame…). It horrifies me to no end to have students groan when asked to write short paragraphs, or read two-page articles, complaining that it is way too much work (I can feel my skin crawling as I think about this). It is very sad, since thinking, analyzing, discussing, evaluating, and creating – those things that do require extra “brain power” as well as time – seem to be becoming shadows of the past (the old-time coffee houses where people sat for hours discussing different things; these days, this might even be considered by some adults to be unproductive…). We need to do something about this, or we will have generations of students (who were allowed to move through the system even without a sufficient understanding of the material, which seems to be becoming “acceptable” these days) who are filling positions in society that do, in fact, require thought and care…and they will have no clue how to effectively carry out their roles; or worse, they may do them in a rushed, self-gratification-seeking, careless manner. Thanks.
Terri Silver Spring, Maryland

]]> By: Phyl http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2008/10/27/study-kids-brainpower-rapidly-diminishing/comment-page-1/#comment-4773 Phyl Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:43:36 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=1310#comment-4773 I agree. The other problem is that teaching to a multiple choice test encourages students to seek the "one right answer" and to be unable to consider the relative rank of competing options. It leads to an immaturity of thought that seems to last far too long. I agree. The other problem is that teaching to a multiple choice test encourages students to seek the “one right answer” and to be unable to consider the relative rank of competing options. It leads to an immaturity of thought that seems to last far too long.

]]> By: Ambassador Dozie Nwanna http://blog.coreknowledge.org/2008/10/27/study-kids-brainpower-rapidly-diminishing/comment-page-1/#comment-4772 Ambassador Dozie Nwanna Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:37:38 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=1310#comment-4772 I was trained in Psychology and an inventor. While I am currently a diplomat in the UK, I have a strong personal interest in devices for nourishing and exercising the mind. I have created some of my own. Prof. Michael Shayer's work has fascinated me beyond description and would be most glad to have opportunity to meet with the professor. I live in London; my office is just by the Trafalga Square. I was trained in Psychology and an inventor. While I am currently a diplomat in the UK, I have a strong personal interest in devices for nourishing and exercising the mind. I have created some of my own. Prof. Michael Shayer’s work has fascinated me beyond description and would be most glad to have opportunity to meet with the professor.

I live in London; my office is just by the Trafalga Square.

]]>