Mann 1 Tobias Mann Comp 2 Mr.

Reynolds Feb 2, 2012

Prompt 2: The Dumbest Generation, The Classroom In The Sky

The idea that the classroom is moving from the conventional sense of the word, into an Internet world, where learning is free encouraged and private. In chapter three of Mark Bauerleins The Dumbest Generation, he stumbles rather crawls his way through the idea that the internet and educational television is replacing conventional learning. However he still remains concrete in his theory that reading a book has a far more effective a learning method than a short lived blog-post, or news article. Mark Bauerleins intent to prove his point falters at the edge of an abyss in chapter three, when he admits that perhaps the world is shifting out of the conventional classroom and into one where learning is done independently, and via some kind of Screen interaction. However the mediocrity of this chapter lies with his half hearted belief in technologies positive affect on millennials. Bauerlein seems exceedingly conflicted, at one moment praising the achievements of the Internets influence, on educating young people though, blogs, online news, and social media, but at the same time bashing them as distractions that take away from reading (books) in the first place. This chapter seems to be troublesome for the author almost as if he is disconnected from the actual influences the internet has on young people. It is as if he cant decide definitively if it is a positive or negative influence. Bauerlein attempts to discredit screen reading on the premise it is inferior to that of a book. This perhaps has some justification as

Mann 2 books being of significant length, and quality, are likely to offer a more in depth window into an issue, than a blog could. On the other hand the blog being shorter, and written in relatively simple english can allow for more cross referencing of opinions, and eliminate bias far more quickly. The issue of maturity in young people, and how that influences their screen time is far more interesting than hearing about how we as a generation cant focus. When considering who to pick on, someone who is extremely motivated to get work done is apt to use resources, like the internet in an extremely constructive manner, making them a poor target. Where as someone with little motivation, and a lack of discipline will find themselves getting distracted by their environment as well as frivolous activities on the net. As such a college student is more likely to produce an excellent essay, than a high school freshmen. Ever since the inception of the internet, it has been about sharing information between educated people for mutual benefit of the scientific community. For years ones ability to take advantage of this source of knowledge was limited by the constraints of technology until now. Its not far fetched to image four school children, working on a school project, drawing a map of North Korea. That kind of collaboration fostered learning in the past, but now with all the modern conveniences of the Internet it can be far better and far more professional. Now to imagine them no longer in one place, but all at home working together on a single project file via the Internet. Collaborating in real time, is revolutionary to education. Real time collaboration on projects is changing productivity and forcing participation in schools. It is also teaching valuable skills that students will find themselves using in the workplace. This is reality for students in Middle Schools today, but this kind of thing was never taught to the millennial generation until recently. Technology had yet to evolve to the point it would be of any value. For the next generation it is going to be thier prime time.

Mann 3 The internet is bring the classroom to you. No tuition required, just open your ears, and keep an open mind. This is the idea behind Salmon Khans project to educate the world. Called Khan Academy, a huge collection of thousands of education videos on just about every thing. Elementary arithmetic through college calculus, to world history, economics, and science. Best of all it comes at no cost to you, features no advertisements, and allows you to even participate with interactive quizzes. Originally based upon videos he put together for his nephew, he soon turned to the Internet to make his lessons available to everyone. Sure he has no formal education in each of the topic areas he is discussing, and perhaps his education is best suited him for wallstreet, yet he lives his life educating people. One could argue that your teachers have worked for the right to educate, they have degrees to say they know what they are talking about. However really, if you think about your highschool teachers job, many do little more than teach right out of your text book. More times than not a substitute can teach a class just as efficiently as the absent teacher whos only following the curriculum. With the internet you no longer need a degree, certifications, or anything to educate. One only needs the will to share their understanding and knowledge with a body of interested individuals seeking knowledge. Not only that, it is easier than ever for students to set up communities to educate each other. In this chapter Bauerlein finds himself in an unfamiliar land where new technology is something to be feared, and regarded carefully. Todays youth have more resources than any generation has had before. These resources allow for a greater pursuit of knowledge into subjects that better relate to a millennials personal interests. Information is always only a click away, and clever students are making use of new tools and technology like never before. New websites designed to educate, are at the disposal of the bored stiff student, who cant seem to keep their eyes open in class. The truth of the matter is that new technologies are improving the lives of dedicated students, while those whom are prone to distraction have found a new set of

Mann 4 distractions. It is the same thing that happened in every generation since the beginning of the civilized world.

Mann 5 Work Cited Bauerlein, Mark. The Dumbest Generation. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2008. Kindle ebook file.