New MacArthur Study: Must Read for Educators

Will Richardson's blog post about the MacArthur Foundation Report got me thinking about alot of ideas that have been marinating in mind for some time. he posts:


"Social and recreational new media use as a site of learning. Contrary to adult perceptions, while hanging out online, youth are picking up basic social and technological skills they need to fully participate in contemporary society. Erecting barriers to participation deprives teens of access to these forms of learning. Participation in the digital age means more than being able to access “serious” online information and culture. Youth could benefit from educators being more open to forms of experimentation and social exploration that are generally not characteristic of educational institutions. (Emphasis mine.)"

My general reaction can be summed up in one sentence, "Too much a of good thing (or anything for that fact)..........ain't so good!" If you notice what I've highlighted in red, I agree with technological skills being picked up by kids today and in turn that these skills help them in contemporary society.............BUT!!!! When basic social skills is mentioned, I vehemently disagree. In my opinion, the majority of kids today, I'll group this to age 26, lack in the "simple" social graces of our society.

I'd like to say to them, "When was the last time you wrote a handwritten thank you note? When was the last time you called somebody on the phone, rather e-mailing or texting them? When, was the last time you were able to sit in a social situation and converse with either adults or your peers without checking your smart phone?"

Too much, what ever happened to the art of conversation? Exchanging ideas...Really listening to what is being said or asked of you and coming up with a connected response? don't get me wrong, I do actually have neices and nephews who CAN sit down and converse with me. But, I feel that the main problem with today's youth is that they are all over the place. They are used to getting whatever they want, whenever they want instantly......

I find myself a bit hypocritical after re-reading what I just wrote. The reason being, when I had my knee surgery this past summer I was literally "addicted" to Face Book. Geeze, I was on that damb thing like 5 - 7 times a day! And when you think about these "social networks", who really gives a flying fig about where you are, what you just ate, etc., etc., etc. Almost sounds a little desperate, no?

Now, let's get to the part in blue I've highlighted. Raising a child has everything to do with parental (or lack there of) control. but, my feeling is how much CAN a parent sheild their child from ALL of that information out there (good and bad)? The ethical questions that arise from reading this blog are endless, and make for great debate................................