How did we ever live – back in the “olden days” – without cell phones? I wonder about my reliance on that little device, but even more, I wonder about the kids and the way the phones function for them. They’re not even phones. They’re just small pieces of electronic gadgetry that keep them connected to everyone – at all times.
During dinner the other night, the cell phone in my 19-year-old’s pocket (he recently returned home from college for the summer) vibrated at least once a minute. Or at least it seemed that way to me. It’s like the second he or any of his friends have a thought, they’re texting each other about it. According to our cell phone bill – he sends and receives thousands of text messages each month.
I just don’t know how anybody can get any work done when they’re constantly receiving these little interruptions. I know for a fact that to get anything of substance accomplished during my workday, I have to turn off the e-mail and check it once an hour or once every few hours. Otherwise, the computer is constantly beeping to let me know something new has arrived in my inbox – a distraction that can keep me from being productive, especially since my e-mail doesn’t do a very good job of keeping spam at bay.
I asked my son how he gets any studying or homework done. After all, wouldn’t these constant cell phone text interruptions destroy his train of thought – the same way e-mails interrupt mine during the workday – and keep him from any serious studying? He doesn’t think so. Maybe they’re just so used to the technology it doesn’t bother them? Personally, I still think people need quiet, uninterrupted time to really study anything, learn anything, write anything or be as productive as potential allows. And… I’ll keep telling that to the kids, suggesting they shut down their cells while engaging in any intellectual activity.
Your son will say that he can ‘multitask’ like other young people. Maybe he can. The truth is that you are right when you say that he needs time to concentrate and the young will realise that as they find themselves in positions of responsibility, making life and death decisions perhaps, in years to come.
The education establishment is fooling itself by offering ‘soundbite’ learning. The real world doesn’t operate like that.
regards
Rob